The Kremlin has put Estonia’s head of government on a wanted list. However, this could only have consequences for them if they travel to North Korea or Belarus. Kallas is calm – and combative.
There are dozens of names of high-ranking politicians from the Baltics on the Russian Interior Ministry’s wanted list. The most prominent: Kaja Kallas, Estonian head of government since 2021.
Political scientist Kristi Raik from the Estonian Institute for Foreign Policy is not surprised that Moscow has her in its sights: “She is one of the most visible and active Western heads of government since the beginning of the Russian invasion. She is calling for a joint, strong reaction.” It’s about both sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine. “Kallas also wants to ensure that Russia bears responsibility for war crimes,” says the political scientist.
“Estonia and I remain steadfast”
The Estonian head of government also appears to be unimpressed by the wanted list. In a statement on a government website, Kallas said: “This is a well-known intimidation tactic. Estonia and I remain steadfast in our policies: supporting Ukraine, strengthening European defense and fighting Russian propaganda.”
The Kremlin accuses Kallas of “hostile actions against historical memory.” And this probably refers to the demolition of Soviet war memorials like the one in Narva. In the city on the border with Russia, Estonia removed a replica of a Soviet tank with a red star in the summer of 2022.
War memorials were also dismantled in Lithuania. This could be the reason why Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys is also on the Russian Interior Ministry’s list. “I speak up loudly and actively for Ukraine on the international stage and thus represent the position of many countries,” says Kairys. “I think that’s what drew attention to me. That’s why my name appears on this list of 100 politicians.”
Kallas remembers Family history
Russia wants to silence its critics, writes Estonian Prime Minister Kallas. But Moscow will not succeed in this.
In the past, Russia has concealed its repressive measures under the guise of law enforcement. “This is close to my heart. Because my grandmother and mother were once deported to Siberia, and the Soviet secret service KGB issued the fake arrest warrants,” explains Kallas. “I have always said that the Russian regime’s criminal tools have not changed. We will not be intimidated by Russia’s scaremongering.”
More of a symbolic nature
There is no reason for this, says the Estonian political scientist Raik. Because it is unlikely that the wanted list will have any consequences. “Kaja Kallas and other people on the list would not travel to Russia anyway. They would also not travel to countries that are closely allied with Russia. There may be a risk of being arrested in countries like Belarus, Iran or North Korea.”
Russia’s move is therefore more of a symbolic nature. But Kallas will remain in Moscow’s focus as a harsh critic. When she went to the theater in the Estonian capital Tallinn this week, she was accompanied by four bodyguards. Better safe than sorry.
Julia Waschenbach, ARD Stockholm, tagesschau, February 13, 2024 6:52 p.m