Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
A people's deputy demanded that funds be directed to specific projects, including in Zhytomyr region, sources said.
Ukrainian MP Arseniy Pushkarenko pressured Estonian government representatives, attempting to influence the distribution of aid to Ukraine. This is reported in an investigation by the Estonian outlet Eesti Ekspress, based on conversations with more than 20 sources.
According to the outlet, the conflict between Pushkarenko and representatives of the Estonian Centre for International Development and Cooperation (ESTDEV) intensified this year.
Estonian officials claim the deputy sought to direct funds to specific projects, including in Zhytomyr region.
The climax came at a meeting on 18 June in Tallinn: Pushkarenko, together with a Ukrainian delegation, discussed future projects with ESTDEV leadership and the organizers of the conference on Ukraine's recovery.
A memorandum prepared for the leadership of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that during the meeting Pushkarenko mentioned a possible change of government in the country and Urmas Reinsalu as a future prime minister.
"[Pushkarenko] claimed that after a change of government ESTDEV staff, as well as the foreign minister, would be held accountable and punished," the memorandum says.
The document also emphasized that cooperation with Pushkarenko "became impossible due to his unpredictable behavior, the imposition of ill-considered projects that serve personal interests, and unethical media pressure."
After that meeting, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna ordered working contacts with Pushkarenko to be discontinued.
The media noted that Estonia began directing a significant portion of its aid to the recovery of Zhytomyr region after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. With Estonian funds there, among other things, a kindergarten in Ovruch, a bridge in Malyn, housing for internally displaced persons, and medical and educational facilities were rebuilt.
According to the investigation, Pushkarenko was often present at the openings of such facilities and publicly linked them to his own activities. For example, a plaque was placed on the fence of the kindergarten in Ovruch stating that the construction was carried out with the support of the deputy. Estonian representatives demanded its removal.
Pushkarenko visited homes for large families affected by the war in Zhytomyr region and stated that he represented Estonia, and he also promised one family a place in a house that was being built with Estonian assistance.
In Estonia they said Pushkarenko has no authority to represent the country or that project. Afterward, Tsahkna personally told Pushkarenko during a meeting in Malyn that Estonia would no longer operate under the principle "you say – Estonia does."
"We have agreements with Ukraine, not with you," Tsahkna said at the time.
According to several participants in the situation, Pushkarenko became noticeably angry after the conversation.
The investigation mentions Pushkarenko's political contacts with the leader of the opposition party Isamaa, Urmas Reinsalu. However, Reinsalu said he did not promise Pushkarenko to dismiss Estonian officials if he came to power.
According to the outlet, because of the situation the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended that its diplomats avoid meetings with Pushkarenko.
Despite repeated requests, Pushkarenko had not responded to journalists' questions by the time the article was published.
Recall that Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on Friday, 11 September, arrived in Kyiv.
During his previous visit he assured that Estonia would defend reliable security guarantees for long-term peace in Ukraine, and that its membership in the European Union and NATO is in the interests of the Baltic states and all of Europe.
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