Estonia's Reform Party to begin search for new defense minister next week

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has ruled out Reform Party Secretary General Kristo Enn Vaga as a candidate for defense minister, saying the two positions cannot be combined. Michal said Vaga would remain in his role as secretary general and suggested he view the media speculation as a compliment.

Vaga himself confirmed he was not in line for the ministerial post, thanking journalists, businesspeople and friends who had raised the possibility, describing it as an honor and a sign of confidence. He said he intends to stay focused on his work as secretary general until the elections, while assisting the party in finding a strong replacement. Vaga added that the next minister should continue building up Estonia's defense capabilities, maintain transparency in defense spending exceeding 5 percent of GDP, and uphold Estonia's steady support for Ukraine.

According to Michal, Reform Party members will start discussing possible candidates next week, with the new minister expected to be sworn in once parliament reconvenes the week after.

Pevkur's resignation and ongoing probe

Michal praised outgoing Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur for accepting political responsibility, while emphasizing this did not imply personal wrongdoing on his part. He explained that if someone within the ministry's area of government took unwarranted risks while assisting Ukraine, Pevkur's political responsibility for that does not equate to personal responsibility.

Pevkur announced his resignation on Wednesday, having served as defense minister since 2022. Prosecutors opened criminal proceedings on Tuesday to examine matters within the Ministry of Defense flagged by National Audit Office reviews conducted this year and last year; no suspects have been named so far.

It also emerged this week that Estonia had attempted to buy artillery shells for Ukraine, paying €70 million in advance to Indian businesspeople who reportedly had no prior history of selling such shells.