Estonia's defence minister resigns amid scandal over ammunition purchases for Ukraine

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has announced his intention to resign amid criticism from the National Audit Office and a scandal over defence procurement, including ammunition intended for Ukraine.

Source: Pevkur in an interview on the ETV programme Aktuaalne kaamera, as reported by Estonia's public broadcaster ERR

Quote from Pevkur: "As defence minister, I of course have to recognise that I am responsible for the entire area under my ministry and if you are now waiting for that big answer, then, of course, a leader must have both the courage and the stature to take responsibility as a matter of political responsibility, even when there is no personal responsibility. I will take that responsibility and the prime minister will have to find a new defence minister."

Details: Pevkur said the findings of the state audit into the activities of the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK) were serious enough to raise the issue of political responsibility.

He said he will hand over the post to his successor at a time convenient for the prime minister, expressing his conviction that his actions had been the right ones to strengthen Estonia's security.

"I do so with the firm knowledge that we have made the right decisions to strengthen national defence. Estonia is better defended than ever before," he said.

Pevkur has headed the defence ministry since 2022.

The resignation announcement came after information emerged that Estonia had attempted to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine and had paid a total of €70 million in advance to Indian companies that had not previously sold a single piece of ammunition.

Magnus-Valdemar Saar, the former head of RKIK, said that no important decisions had been made without the approval of the Defence Ministry's leadership. In addition to the minister, former permanent secretary Kusti Salm and current permanent secretary Kaimo Kuusk had been informed about the details of the contracts.

Pevkur said he had indeed not read the contracts, but confirmed that RKIK had provided him with the documents.

Quote from Pevkur: "Although the minister does not count socks and ammunition or conduct contract negotiations, the National Audit Office's criticisms, primarily concerning the activities of the Defence Forces and the Centre for Defence Investments, raise the question of political responsibility. I therefore believe it is right to take political responsibility today for the entire defence sector and hand over the defence minister's baton at a time suitable for the prime minister."

Background:

• Earlier, a special committee of the Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) held hearings following a summary report by the National Audit Office, which pointed to systemic problems and confusion in the defence sector's accounting.
• After the report was posted, Toomas Uibo, head of the Estonia 200 parliamentary faction, Lauri Läänemets, leader of the Social Democratic Party, and Urmas Reinsalu, leader of the Isamaa party, publicly called on Pevkur to resign.
• Prime Minister Kristen Michal convened a Cabinet meeting for the morning of 3 September to receive the Auditor General's report, noting that the absence of personal fault on the part of the minister did not rule out the need to assume political responsibility.

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