Defense Minister on vacation… in Dubai. He didn't want to lose money on the hotel

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur was in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a family vacation when war broke out in the region between the United States and Israel and Iran, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna confirmed on Monday.

The Postimees daily reported that Pevkur arrived in Dubai on Friday.

The minister was criticized in the media for going on a private trip to the Middle East at a time of highly unstable situation in the region and despite issued warnings about the threat.

– I'm like everyone else. If someone buys plane tickets many months in advance and reserves a hotel, and at that time there is no indication of any problems, no one wants to lose the money spent, he replied.

The minister went on holiday to the Middle East during the winter holidays in Estonia and arrived on a regular Air Baltic flight. He left the United Arab Emirates by land and is currently in Oman, where, together with other Estonians, he is waiting to return to his homeland.

“There are no flights now. We live from day to day. We don't know how and when we will get home,” admitted Pevkur in an interview with ERR radio.

The Estonian Foreign Minister admitted that currently air traffic in the region is seriously hampered, and the country is currently unable to bring its citizens back to the country. There are currently about 3,000 in the Middle East. Estonians, most in the UAE. (PAP)

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