Estonian defense minister resigns after scandal over contracts for shells intended for Ukraine

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced on Wednesday that he was resigning following revelations that €70 million in European funds had been used to purchase artillery shells intended for Ukraine. The contracts were signed in 2024, and the selected companies had not previously produced or sold such ammunition. The information was reported by public broadcaster ERR, amid criticism from the Estonian National Audit Office over defense spending and the activities of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment. Estonia is currently challenging the contracts before the European Court of Arbitration in Strasbourg. Pevkur, who has served as defense minister since 2022, said he was assuming political responsibility for the area under his authority, although he had not participated in the contract negotiations and had not read the documents in question. He said the minister’s role is to make the strategic decision to support Ukraine, not to manage every procurement process. The European Peace Facility was created to strengthen security and is increasingly being used to provide military support to Ukraine. Pevkur’s resignation follows the departure of Latvia’s defense minister, Andris Sprūds, in May.‏ "slug":"estonia-defense-minister-resigns-shell-scandal"} nåwaswo nosense?}json?>