Pevkur proposes dismissing Defence Ministry chancellor Kuusk

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has proposed that the government dismiss Kaimo Kuusk, the chancellor and highest-ranking official at the Defence Ministry, ERR reported. The government is expected to consider the proposal at its Thursday meeting, and Kuusk’s final working day would be September 15.

Pevkur said the country’s defence leadership could not function without basic trust and cooperation between the minister and the ministry’s top official.

“Defence minister candidate Martin Herem has categorically ruled out working with Kaimo Kuusk. If the prime minister wants to see Herem become the next defence minister, this decision must also be substantively addressed. The development of national defence cannot be held hostage by mutual distrust between the minister and the chancellor,” Pevkur said.

He said that, given the current security situation, it would not be justified to knowingly leave a conflict in the Defence Ministry’s leadership that could affect the management of both the ministry and national defence.

“Estonia does not currently have the luxury of spending the next six months on internal power struggles. If the next defence minister’s position is that cooperation with the current chancellor is impossible, a decision must be made that allows the leadership of national defence to move forward,” Pevkur said.

Pevkur stressed that the decision did not diminish the importance of Kuusk’s work or his contribution to Estonia’s national defence. He thanked Kuusk for his cooperation and contribution, saying that Kuusk had carried significant responsibility during exceptionally turbulent and demanding years.