The meeting of the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Deineko with Director General of the PBGB Elmar Vaher took place in Kyiv.

They discussed cooperation between the border agencies of Ukraine and Estonia and further steps of interaction.

Serhii Deineko noted that Ukraine appreciates the support provided by Estonia and the level of interaction in the border area, which helps to ensure proper border protection.

The parties also exchanged information on the security situation at the borders of the countries, discussed the threats to border security faced by border agencies, and ways to overcome them most effectively.

In particular, during the meeting the Estonian delegation was emphasized that Ukraine's border security is significantly affected by the aggressive policy and actions of the Russian Federation. The situation on the state border sectors with the Republic of Belarus complicates the situation separately. In addition, threats include transit illegal migration and attempts to move goods, primarily tobacco, to EU countries.

The heads of border structures also raised the issue of further exchange of experience in various components of performing tasks at the borders. Among them were engineering arrangement of the border, countering hybrid threats and illegal activities when violators use aircraft, as such issues affect the borders of both countries, and others.

In addition, Serhii Deineko expressed interest in Estonia's experience in the development of IT technologies implemented in the border protection and cybersecurity system.

For his part, Elmar Vaher stressed that they are ready not only to pass on experience, but also need the work of the Ukrainian side, highlighting a number of areas.

The participation of the Estonian side in strengthening and developing the capacity of the Marine Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine was especially noted. In particular, the staff of the Marine Guard has already had the opportunity to undergo training and internships on the basis of the Estonian ship's fleet.

The parties also cited the development of cooperation between operational units, risk analysis and exchange of information on the use of technical means of surveillance at the state border as examples of intensified cooperation.