Russia proclaims Estonian PM ‘wanted’ over war memorial destruction

Russia accuses Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and a group of European officials of destroying Soviet-era war monuments in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

In a bold move escalating tensions between Russia and the European Union, Moscow said on Tuesday that Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and a group of European officials were “wanted” as they were accused of destroying Soviet-era war monuments.

For a long time, statues in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been a source of conflict as many people see them as reminders of the time when those countries were controlled by the Soviet Union, as some of these memorials honor the Red Army. The Baltic states initiated the destruction of some of these monuments following Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine in 2022.

Along with Estonian state secretary Taimar Peterkop and other officials, Kaja Kallas, the leader of Estonia, was quickly put on the Russian interior ministry’s wanted list. According to Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, they were all accused of “destroying monuments to Soviet soldiers.” When asked about how serious the situation was, She said, “Crimes against the memory of the liberators of the world from Nazism and fascism must be punished. And this is just the beginning”

In answer to the claims, Kallas, known for strongly condemning Russia and its actions in Ukraine, stayed firm, saying, “Their scare tactics won’t change our actions.” Among those targeted by Russia’s declaration was Karol Nawrocki, head of Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, and Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys.

Source: AFP