Estonia’s Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, has been placed on Russia’s wanted list for her role in removing Soviet-era World War II monuments in Estonia. This action comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with the war in Ukraine adding to the hostility. Estonia, along with NATO members Latvia and Lithuania, have removed monuments that are seen as reminders of Soviet occupation. Additionally, Poland and the Czech Republic have also taken down monuments to Red Army soldiers. Russia has condemned these actions, stating that they disrespect the memories of fallen Soviet soldiers. Kallas, who has been a vocal advocate for providing military assistance to Ukraine and imposing stronger sanctions on Russia, has been targeted by Russia as part of their efforts to escalate the situation in response to NATO pressure. This is the first time a foreign leader has been included on Russia’s wanted list. Estonian Secretary of State, Taimar Peterkop, and Lithuanian Culture Minister, Simonas Kairys, are also on the list. The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Kallas and Peterkop were included due to their involvement in monument removal. Moscow’s move is seen as a response to actions taken by Kallas and others that Russia perceives as hostile to its historic memory and the country itself. Russia has laws against the rehabilitation of Nazism, which includes penalties for desecrating war memorials. Russia’s Investigative Committee, the top criminal investigation agency, has a department focused on alleged falsification of history and rehabilitation of Nazism. This department has increased its actions since the start of the Ukraine war. The list published by the Russian Interior Ministry also includes Ukrainian officials and foreign nationals accused of fighting alongside Ukrainian armed forces. The inclusion of Kallas on the list could also be an attempt by Moscow to counter last year’s arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Russian President, Vladimir Putin, over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The list also includes the President of the ICC, Piotr Hofmanski. The practical impact of this list is limited since contacts between Moscow and the West have been frozen during the conflict. However, European members of NATO are becoming increasingly concerned about the implications of the US election for the alliance. Former US President, Donald Trump, has raised fears among NATO allies that he could allow Russia to expand its aggression in Europe if he returns to the White House. In contrast, US President Joe Biden has pledged to defend every inch of NATO territory, in line with the alliance’s commitment to collective defense. Trump’s statement has prompted Poland, France, and Germany to strengthen Europe’s security and defense capabilities.