A bold move by Estonia’s Prime Minister has propelled her into an unfortunate Russian spotlight, with Vladimir Putin adding her name to a list of female leaders he “struggles to acknowledge”.
Tensions have escalated between Russia and the West with Kaja Kallas now finding herself on the Russian president’s ‘most wanted list’, joining the likes of Estonia’s state secretary Taimar Peterkop and culture minister Simonas Kairys.
It comes in response to Kallas’s efforts to remove Soviet-era World War II monuments, which Moscow views as a provocation. On the international stage, Kallas emerges as a potential candidate for the role of defence commissioner in the European Union.
A senior EU diplomat, commenting on plans for the position, suggested she could be a fitting choicegiven her instrumental role in the EU’s commitment to deliver one million shells to Ukraine by March, despite this deadline fast approaching.
Dr Stepan Stepanenko, Director of Forward Strategy, sheds light on Kallas’s distinct position among Baltic leaders.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, stands out among Baltic state leaders as a vocal critic of Putin’s Russia, actively pursuing Russian assets and raising alarms over Russia’s ambitions in the Baltics, particularly if Ukraine fails to repel the ongoing assault.
“Estonia is also not alone in their staunch support for Ukraine in the Baltics. Lithuania and Latvia have greatly aided the state, relative to their size and capacity, far outweighing the contribution of the UK in percentage terms compared to the relative size of defence budgets.
“And although Russian goods still go through the Riga port, this ball is firmly in the hands of the EU to resolve and end the Russian exports, which directly finance the war machine, through European territory.”
The reason for Russia blacklisting Kallas is because of her push to dismantle Soviet monuments in Estonia, a country committed to erasing relics of Soviet occupation. This initiative, notably the relocation of the Bronze Soldier in Tallinn in 2007, sparked significant protests.
Dr Stepanenko noted Russia’s historical animosity towards female leaders and suggests a pattern of targeting strong, independent women in leadership positions.
He added: “Historically, Russia has shown animosity towards female leaders, from Margaret Thatcher, derisively nicknamed the Iron Lady — a title that ironically became a badge of honour – to Lithuania’s Dalia Grybauskaitė, targeted by Russian disinformation following deteriorating relations post her 2010 meeting with Putin in Helsinki.
“Finland’s Sanna Marin was subjected to a barrage of propaganda following the leak of a personal video. Russia’s patriarchal society, steeped in cronyism and nepotism, struggles to acknowledge the rise of strong, independent women through democratic support.”
Putin’s pursuit of Estonia’s Prime Minister raises concerns about Baltic security, he added. Encouraged by Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion for Russia to target NATO members, the move puts Estonia with its modest population and pro-Russian sympathisers, in a vulnerable position.
Dr Stepanenko added: “Estonia, with its modest population and a segment of pro-Russian sympathisers, faces vulnerabilities similar to those of Crimea and the Donbas regions. NATO membership and participation in the Joint Expeditionary Force, with Britain as a principal responder to any Baltic crisis, remain Estonia’s primary safeguards.”
Former President Trump’s recent statement adds complexity. As the front-runner for the Republican Party’s nomination, Trump claimed to have warned of allowing Russia more leeway against NATO members failing to meet the 2 percent GDP defence spending threshold.
