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Russian authorities initiated unprecedented legal proceedings against Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Tuesday, alleging politically motivated charges. The Kremlin accused Kallas, Estonian Secretary of State Taimar Peterkop, and Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys of damaging monuments honoring Soviet soldiers, according to Russia’s state-run Tass news agency. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the charges but did not specify when the alleged incidents occurred. By Wednesday, officials from all three Baltic states were on Russia’s wanted list.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago, Kallas announced Estonia's decision to remove all Soviet monuments from public spaces. Kallas is believed to be the first head of state added to the Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted list since the invasion, though the move is largely symbolic.
Responding on social media, Kallas expressed little surprise at the action and reaffirmed her support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression. She noted historical repression by Russia, including the deportation of her grandmother and mother to Siberia on KGB orders.
Latvia and Lithuania condemned Russia’s actions, summoning their respective Russian ambassadors, while Estonia summoned Russia’s chargé d'affaires.
Estonia, once part of the Soviet Union, joined the EU and NATO in 2004. NATO’s expansion near Russia's borders has irked President Vladimir Putin, who views the alliance as a threat.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine heightened concerns in Estonia, leading to discussions about increased troop deployments along the Russian border and support for Ukraine's struggle.
Estonia has advocated for stronger European defense spending and is set to exceed NATO’s 2% GDP threshold for defense expenditure this year.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized support for Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression, warning against a world where aggression becomes the norm.