The Russian Police, as could be identified on the website of the Ministry of the Interior, issued an order against the Estonian premier for “insulting Soviet history” after the processes of dismantling monuments from the Second World War. Along with Kallas, the Estonian Secretary of State and the Minister of Culture of Lithuania were also targeted. “I refuse to be silenced,” responded the Estonian leader.
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This Tuesday, February 13, the dispute with the Baltic countries increased from Russia after the police launched a search and arrest letter against the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas. The circular was identified through the Russian Interior Ministry website.
Nations in the region such as Estonia and Lithuania became the center of the Kremlin's attention after they positioned themselves in favor of Ukraine, the West and against the Russian invasion of Eastern Europe.
The aversion of these States against the Soviet Union and its legacy also responds to the fact that they consider that they were part of the red bloc as a result of invasions and occupation.
Kallas is being prosecuted in Moscow in a “criminal case,” according to information that emerged this Tuesday, but without clearly detailing what the Tallinn leader is accused of. Along with the premier, Taimar Peterkop, Estonian Secretary of State, and Simonas Kairys, Minister of Culture of Lithuania, are also being searched.
The Russian state news agency Tass cited anonymous security sources, who explained that these three Baltic officials They are prosecuted for “destruction and damage to monuments to Soviet soldiers” from World War II.
“Hostile actions against historical memory”
For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also referred to the animosity against Kallas and the other two officials. “These people are responsible for decisions that are de facto an insult to history, they are people who carry out hostile actions against historical memory, against our country,” he stated.
In response, Kallas did not back down and warned that she will not let herself be silenced. Through a statement, he reinforced his position in favor of kyiv, European defense and against Russian propaganda.
“Russia may believe that by issuing a fictitious arrest warrant it will silence Estonia. “I refuse to be silenced.”
Russia's move is nothing surprising.
This is yet more proof that I am doing the right thing – the #EU's strong support to #Ukraine is a success and it hurts Russia. 1/
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 13, 2024
Tensions against former Soviet nations have been building since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. For example, these territories, many of which belong to the European Union and NATO, have cut their ties with Russia.
In mid-January, Latvia and Estonia stopped their legal assistance with the Kremlin under the justification of the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, also last month, Tallinn did not want to extend the residence permit of the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, considering it a risk to national security.
The Kremlin even accused Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius of sabotage against the presidential elections after refusing to guarantee security at the voting centers of the Russian embassies in their territories, where a minority percentage of the population is called to vote.
With EFE and AFP
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