Estonia's defense minister resigns over €70 million Ukraine ammunition deal
Hanno Pevkur (photo: open sources)
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur is resigning amid a defense procurement scandal involving artillery shells for Ukraine, according to ERR.
Pevkur's decision came after criticism from Estonia's National Audit Office. Auditors found serious problems in the work of the Estonian Centre for Defense Investments (RKIK), which is responsible for military procurement.
One of the most controversial cases was a €70 million deal to purchase ammunition for Ukraine.
Estonia made advance payments to a company that had not previously produced the required artillery shells but ultimately failed to deliver them. The dispute over the contract is currently being considered in court.
Pevkur stressed that he does not personally consider himself responsible for the problematic transactions. According to him, the defense minister does not directly negotiate contracts or select contractors. These functions are assigned to RKIK.
At the same time, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that he did not see Pevkur as personally responsible, but that the minister could assume political responsibility.
Earlier, representatives of both the opposition and the coalition called on Pevkur to voluntarily step down amid the scandal.
Estonian authorities suspect possible Russian involvement in a fire at a Milrem Robotics facility that produces unmanned equipment for Ukraine.
Earlier, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas warned that Russia was considering possible attacks on the critical infrastructure of the Baltic states.
