Estonia’s defense minister resigns amid procurement scandal

Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, has resigned after a state audit exposed serious problems in the Defense Ministry’s area of responsibility. He announced the decision on television on Wednesday evening, saying the findings were serious enough for him to accept political responsibility.

The prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday that it had opened criminal proceedings over violations identified in the ministry’s administration. The State Audit Office review examined the accuracy of Estonia’s 2024 financial statements and the legality of transactions.

The scandal centered on a €70 million advance payment for ammunition intended for Ukraine. Estonia paid the money to an Indian company that had no previous experience with this type of transaction.

Magnus Valdemar Saar, the former head of the State Centre for Defence Investment, said all important decisions had been made with the Defense Ministry’s approval. He also said Pevkur had been informed during negotiations on the first contract, along with then-ministry chancellor Kusti Salm and, later, the new chancellor, Kaimo Kuusk.

Pevkur had served as defense minister since 2022.

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The State Audit Office's accusations are so serious that political responsibility must be assumed and I must resign from office.