Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has made clear that the European Union's €90 billion loan to Ukraine must be handled with strict accountability, as a corruption investigation ensnares a former top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking to Euronews' programme Europe Today, Pevkur stressed that both Ukrainians and Europeans need assurance that the funds are not misused.
“We need to have accountability in place,” Pevkur said. “It is definitely something Ukrainians are looking into very seriously because it is also important for them that there are no rumours or problems involved with that kind of assistance.”
The loan, agreed by EU leaders in October, is intended to help Ukraine repel Russian forces and rebuild its shattered economy. But the backdrop of a widening graft scandal in Kyiv has raised concerns among some member states about the risk of embezzlement. The former chief of staff to Zelenskyy is now under investigation, though details remain scarce.
Ukraine's Responsibility to Show Transparency
Pevkur, whose country shares a border with Russia and has been a vocal advocate for robust support to Ukraine, emphasised that the onus is on Kyiv to prove the money is well spent. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov attended Tuesday's Foreign Affairs Council talks in Brussels, which focused on defence. Pevkur said Fedorov must demonstrate how the funds will be used, not only to calm Ukrainian anxieties but also to reassure European taxpayers.
“Ukrainians still need our assistance and help to rebuild Ukraine and support its path to becoming a normal European country,” Pevkur said. “This is why it is first and foremost up to the Ukrainians to show both their own people and us that everything is in good shape.”
The Estonian minister's remarks come as the EU seeks to maintain unity on Ukraine aid, even as some member states grow weary of the financial burden. The loan is part of a broader package that includes military assistance and humanitarian support, with the bloc aiming to provide predictable, long-term backing.
Beyond Brussels, Ukraine will be the focus of a B9 Summit in Romania on Wednesday, where allies on the Eastern and Nordic flanks will discuss how to bolster transatlantic security. The meeting underscores the strategic importance of the region, particularly as the war grinds on with no end in sight.
Pevkur's insistence on accountability reflects a broader European concern: that corruption could undermine public support for Ukraine's cause. The EU has already imposed conditions on its aid, requiring Kyiv to implement anti-corruption reforms. But the latest scandal shows the challenge of ensuring compliance in a country at war.
For now, the Estonian minister's message is clear: the €90 billion loan must not be squandered. As he put it, “At the end of the day, they need to secure support not only now but also for years to come – even after the war is over.”
