Weapons for Ukraine: 70 million euro advance caused conflict in Estonia
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation following a scandal related to the procurement of weapons for Ukraine. This was prompted by information that the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK) had transferred an advance payment of 70 million euros to an Italian company that had not previously been involved in the arms trade.
Weapons for Ukraine: A scandal has arisen in Estonia over an advance payment of around 70 million euros
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation on the evening of September 2. He explained this decision by taking "political responsibility" for the country's defense sector.
The scandal is related to the procurement process of weapons for Ukraine.
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (RKIK) paid an advance of 70 million euros to the Italian company Datasel S.R.L. for the supply of weapons to Ukraine.
However, according to an investigation conducted by the Eesti Ekspress publication, Indian entrepreneurs are behind the company, and it had not sold a single artillery shell before this.
Pevkur stated that the RKIK, not the defense minister directly, is responsible for preparing weapons procurement contracts and selecting partner companies.
"The defense minister does not negotiate contracts, nor does he count socks and cartridges. The defense minister makes the decision of principle on helping Ukraine. Preparing negotiations for contracts and searching for counterparties is the task of the RKIK," Pevkur said in an interview with the ERR broadcasting company.
Nevertheless, he admitted that as minister, he is responsible for the entire defense sector.
Pevkur expressed his readiness to take political responsibility and said that the prime minister must now find a new defense minister.
Hanno Pevkur had been serving as Estonia's Minister of Defense since 2022.
According to the source, his resignation must be approved by the country's parliament, the Riigikogu.
The autumn session of the parliament begins on September 14. Until then, Pevkur will continue to perform the duties of the Estonian Minister of Defense.
The main part of the scandal is related to the transfer of a 70 million euro advance to Datasel S.R.L. for the procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.
The Eesti Ekspress investigation noted that the company had not previously been involved in selling shells.
This situation has raised questions regarding how counterparties are vetted and selected in the procurement process of defense products for Ukraine.