Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, sparking international controversy and condemnation. The Russian state media reported on Saturday that Zelenskyy, along with his predecessor Petro Poroshenko, are wanted on unspecified criminal charges, with allegations dating back months.
The inclusion of Zelenskyy and Poroshenko on the wanted list has been dismissed by Ukraine’s foreign ministry as a desperate move by the Russian state machine and propaganda. The list also includes officials and lawmakers from Ukraine and NATO countries, including Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of Estonia, who has been vocal in advocating for increased military aid to Kyiv and stronger sanctions against Moscow.
Russia’s justification for putting Kallas on the wanted list stems from Estonia’s efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments, which Moscow views as a form of “rehabilitation of Nazism.” This move has also targeted cabinet ministers from Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the International Criminal Court prosecutor who prepared a warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges.
The Kremlin’s repeated attempts to link Ukraine’s leaders to Nazism have been met with skepticism and derision by Kyiv and its Western allies. The false assertions by Russia aim to legitimize its military operation in Ukraine, with claims of “de-Nazification” and “de-militarization” as key goals.
Historians have noted Russia’s attempts to reframe historical truths from World War II, emphasizing the Soviet role in defeating the Nazis while downplaying any collaboration or crimes committed by Soviet citizens. The inclusion of Zelenskyy and other officials on Russia’s wanted list further escalates tensions between the two countries, with the international community closely monitoring the situation.