Russia puts Kaja Kallas on wanted list
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and 131 prominent figures from politics and international institutions, most of them from the Baltic states, appear on a new Russian register of people wanted on criminal charges. They are to be charged in connection with "crimes against the memory of the liberators of the world from Nazism and fascism", a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman announced. No reason to be intimidated, Europe's press believes.
Kremlin opponent no. 1
Moscow has not chosen a lightweight as its target, Polityka observes:
“The choice of the Estonian politician is no coincidence, because for years she has been one of the leading EU politicians who sees in Putin a constant threat to Western values and institutions. ... Kallas, whose mother was deported to Siberia as part of the Soviet repression, is the ideal candidate to lead the anti-Putin front, but also to become a target of Kremlin propaganda. She excels on the international stage and always performs better than the more experienced politicians with whom she shares halls and podiums.”
Intimidation will not succeed
According to the Kleine Zeitung Russia cannot harm Kallas:
“In practice, the consequences are likely to be limited: it is only in Russia that Kallas faces arrest. At the same time it's paradoxical that a country whose head of state is internationally wanted for massive war crimes now wants to arrest the head of government of an EU country - for 'destroying monuments of Soviet soldiers'. Ultimately this is an attempt by Moscow to intimidate and silence Kaja Kallas personally and the Balts collectively, who have been independent since 1991 and hold the banner of freedom high. In a nutshell: this will not succeed.”
Just absurd
In addition to Kallas, warrants were also issued for Latvian politicians who voted in favour of the demolition of Soviet war memorials in 2022. The Kremlin is rather random in its choice of enemies, Neatkarīgā observes:
“In August 2022, the Russian Investigative Committee announced that proceedings had been launched on charges of 'disturbing the peace of the dead'. The truth is that there were never any soldiers' burials near Riga's Victory Square, and the Red Army never fought there. ... All members of the Latvijas attīstībai party faction in the Riga city council as well as basketball player Anete Jēkabsone-Žogota are now considered 'enemies of the Kremlin'. The two-time Euroleague winner can add another title to her list of achievements.”