Estonian Defense Minister Resigns Amid Scandal Over Ammunition Purchase for Ukraine

Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, has resigned after mounting pressure over a 70 million euro ammunition deal for Ukraine and wider financial problems inside the Defense Ministry.

Pevkur announced his decision on Wednesday evening. Appearing on the program “Aktuaalne kaamera,” he said a minister must have the courage to accept political responsibility. “I have no problem accepting this responsibility. I accept it. The prime minister must find a new defense minister,” he said.

The controversy intensified after an investigation by Eesti Ekspress revealed that the State Defence Investment Centre had paid almost 70 million euros in advance in 2024 to Datasel, an Indian defense company. Estonia planned to buy ammunition for Ukraine from the company, but it had never sold a single shell before and Estonia has still not received the ammunition.

The first contract, signed in August 2024, involved a 15 million euro payment. Three further contracts and advance payments followed, bringing the total to about 70 million euros. Problems with the first ammunition shipment had already emerged by that point.

According to former investment center chief Magnus Valdemar Saar, major decisions required approval from ministry leadership, and the risks were discussed at meetings chaired by the minister. Pevkur, however, said the investment center was responsible for selecting partners, setting contract terms and arranging payment schedules. A state audit published the previous week added further pressure, questioning records for 1.2 billion euros in stock and warning that the deficiencies increased the risk of improper use of state funds and assets.

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A leader must have the courage to accept political responsibility. I have no problem accepting this responsibility. I accept it. The prime minister must find a new defense minister.