“Estonian safety just isn’t a one-man mission. It’s our joint accountability,” Pevkur mentioned in a social media post. “That’s the reason I need to take political accountability for the complete protection discipline right now and go on the baton of the minister of protection to the prime minister at an appropriate time.”
Pevkur confronted calls to resign after Estonia’s nationwide audit workplace last month found “severe issues” in using funds and accounting of property within the protection ministry. The watchdog made comparable claims final yr.
The ammunition procurement contract financed by the EU’s European Peace Facility was awarded in 2024 to Italian-registered Datasel S.R.L, which is owned by an Indian agency, Neco Defence Munitions.
Pevkur mentioned he had not learn the contract, saying the ministry just isn’t normally concerned in procurement particulars.
“Though the minister doesn’t depend socks and ammunition or conduct contract negotiations, the Nationwide Audit Workplace’s criticisms, primarily regarding the actions of the protection forces and the Heart for Protection Investments, elevate the query of political accountability,” Pevkur mentioned.
Pevkur said Thursday that below his watch, Estonia raised protection spending from 2 % to five % of GDP in response to Russia’s full scale assault on Ukraine in 2022.
