Wanted by the Kremlin

Kallas: “Russian script not surprising”

Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela at the informal EU summit of heads of state and government in Prague in 2022

(Bild: APA/BKA/DRAGAN TATIC)

Russia put Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on the wanted list at the beginning of last week. She is wanted for "a criminal case" - allegedly for "the destruction of monuments to Soviet soldiers". But she does not want to be "intimidated": "This is the Russian script, it is not surprising - and we are not afraid."

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas sees the Russian arrest warrant against her as an attempt by the Kremlin to discredit her in view of a possible top job in the European Union. "This is supposed to intimidate me and prevent me from making decisions that I would otherwise make," said Kallas.

"But this is the Russian script, it's not surprising, and we are not afraid," emphasized the 46-year-old, one of Ukraine's strongest supporters and Russia's harshest critics.

"It's hard to be popular"
"It's hard to be popular," said Kallas ironically. Last year, Estonia launched an initiative to provide Ukraine with more ammunition. However, the 27 EU states will miss the target of providing one million rounds for the artillery by March. At best, half the amount is expected.

Manhunt for Kallas

The Kremlin accuses Kallas of "destroying monuments to Soviet soldiers", which is punishable by a five-year prison sentence under the Russian Criminal Code. She is also accused of alleged "hostile acts and desecration of historical memory".

In the former Soviet republic, monuments commemorating the struggle of Soviet soldiers in the Second World War have been removed in recent years. Estonia was annexed by the Soviet Union at the time.

However, Kallas only faces arrest if she sets foot on Russian soil, otherwise the move by the Russian authorities will have no practical consequences. There is speculation in Brussels that Kallas could become the new EU foreign policy chief.