Russia has put Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a wanted list, but has not specified the charges against her. The move comes as a result of tensions between Russia and Estonia over the issue of war memorials. The Russian government claims that Estonia has been removing Soviet-era war memorials, which they consider to be an insult to the memory of those who fought in World War II. Estonia, on the other hand, argues that the memorials are symbols of Soviet occupation and should not be celebrated.
The Russian wanted list includes other Baltic officials as well, although their identities have not been disclosed. The Estonian government has condemned Russia's actions, calling them politically motivated and an attempt to intimidate and destabilize the country. They have also called on the international community to condemn Russia's actions and show support for Estonia.
The European Union and NATO have expressed their support for Estonia and called on Russia to respect its sovereignty. The EU's foreign affairs spokesperson stated that they were closely following the situation and that any actions against EU member states would be seen as a violation of international law. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called Russia's actions "unacceptable" and reaffirmed NATO's commitment to the security of all its members, including Estonia.
There are concerns that Russia's move could lead to further escalation of tensions in the region. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and the Baltic states, which have been strained since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Baltic states have since increased their defense spending and have sought closer ties with NATO and the EU as a result.
Overall, Russia's decision to put the Estonian Prime Minister on a wanted list without specifying the charges is seen as a provocative move that could further exacerbate tensions between Russia and Estonia. The international community has called on Russia to respect Estonia's sovereignty and resolve the issue through dialogue. [Canberra Times] [Telegraph] [The National News] [Al Jazeera] [NY Post] [Newsmax] [The Guardian] [Politico] [Raw Story] [TASS] [France24] [Jerusalem Post] [Latestly]
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