In a shocking move, Russia has put the leader of a NATO member state on its list of wanted criminals. The reason? She dared to remove some old Soviet monuments from her country.
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a vocal critic of Russia, has been accused by Moscow of “destroying monuments to Soviet soldiers” who fought against the Nazis in World War II. The Kremlin has not revealed the exact charges against her, but they could range from vandalism to genocide.
Kallas, who became the first female prime minister of Estonia in 2022, has spearheaded the removal of Soviet-era memorials from public spaces, saying they are a legacy of Soviet occupation and oppression. She has also banned four Russian TV channels from cable television, citing their pro-Kremlin propaganda and misinformation.
The removal of Soviet monuments has been a sensitive issue in Estonia, a former Soviet republic that regained its independence in 1991. Nearly a quarter of its 1.3 million population are ethnic Russians, many of whom view the monuments as a tribute to their ancestors who fought fascism.
The most controversial case was the relocation of the Bronze Soldier statue from central Tallinn to a military cemetery in 2007, which sparked two nights of riots and looting by pro-Russian protesters, followed by a massive cyberattack that paralyzed Estonia’s government and media websites.
Russia has denounced Estonia’s actions as a desecration of the memory of its war heroes and a violation of international law. It has also warned that it will not tolerate any attempts to rewrite history or undermine its security interests in the region.
The decision to put Kallas on the wanted list comes amid soaring tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting the Kyiv government since 2014. Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops and weapons along its border with Ukraine, raising fears of a possible invasion or escalation of the conflict .
Estonia, along with its Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, has been one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has called for more military assistance and sanctions against Russia. The three countries, which are all NATO members, have also expressed concern over Russia’s growing military threat and aggression in the region .
Kallas has not commented on Russia’s move to put her on the wanted list, but she has previously said that she is not afraid of Moscow’s pressure or intimidation. She has also urged the international community to stand united and firm against Russia’s aggression and violations of human rights
