Future Estonian defence minister: Fear of mistakes must not stop us helping Ukraine

Martin Herem, the candidate for Estonian defence minister, has said that the risk of mistakes in rapid arms procurement is inevitable, but fear of possible failures should not push the state into inaction.

Source: European Pravda, citing ERR, an Estonian public broadcasting network

Details: In an interview with daily morning radio programme Vikerhommik, given before news of his possible appointment as defence minister emerged, Herem said arms procurement for Ukraine in a critical situation requires difficult choices and involves risks.

"The only way not to fail is not to buy shells," Herem said, pointing out that refusing to help Ukraine would seem criminal to him.

He said rapid procurement and a willingness to take certain risks can sometimes lead to failures. However, that does not mean decisions should not be made.

Quote: "It seems the only way never to make mistakes is to do nothing. In reality, that would put us on a path of even faster decline. I do not know in detail all the risks that existed there, but I know that the Estonian state and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK) acted out of a desire to help Ukraine quickly."

More details: Herem said that Estonia had acted quickly in helping Ukraine and had not fallen behind other countries. However, such a policy inevitably created situations in which risks materialised.

Speaking about responsibility for failed decisions, Herem mentioned Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, who on 2 September announced his resignation, saying there was a need to take political responsibility for the National Audit Office's remarks on the activities of the Defence Forces and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK).

Background: On 9 September, Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal proposed Herem for the post of defence minister. Herem accepted the offer.

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