Aid to Ukraine and conflict with a deputy: Estonia tightened contacts with Pushkarenko — Media

The Estonian side has ceased working contacts with People’s Deputy from Servant of the People Arseniy Pushkarenko after the dispute over the distribution of aid to Ukraine.

This is stated in an investigation by the Estonian publication Eesti Ekspress.

What the deputy is accused of

According to journalists, Pushkarenko allegedly tried to influence the choice of projects to be funded by Estonia, including in Zhytomyr region, and pressured representatives of the Estonian Center for International Development ESTDEV.

In one of the memorandums for the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is also a description of a meeting of the deputy with representatives of the center, during which he spoke about possible changes to the Estonian government and future personnel decisions. Isamaa party leader Urmas Reinsalu denied promising Pushkarenko the dismissal of officials.

Aid to Zhytomyr region

Since the start of the full-scale war, Estonia funded the reconstruction of kindergartens, housing, medical and educational facilities in Zhytomyr region.

According to Eesti Ekspress, the Estonian side also demanded removing a plaque from one of the facilities that mentioned Pushkarenko as a person behind whom the project is being implemented.

Diplomats were advised not to meet with Pushkarenko

After the conflict, Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs allegedly recommended diplomats not to hold meetings with the deputy. The situation was also reported to the Prime Minister of Estonia and the Security Police.

At the time of publication, Pushkarenko had not responded to Eesti Ekspress's questions.

We reported: 16-year-old girl, whom 11 in September on the Kyiv–Chop highway in Zhytomyr region hit with a car the deputy minister for reconstruction, infrastructure and transport Ruslan Oliynyk, was sending friends messages about the intent to run under the car before the accident. According to media, this was disclosed by interlocutors in law enforcement. Investigators are currently establishing all circumstances of the accident.