The Topic of Ukraine Should Not Be a Subject for Intrigues and Crimes
The third year of the war on the territory of Ukraine has become a convenient ground for manipulations and political struggles. A vivid example of this is what happened the day before in the Baltics. In the Estonian capital, Tallinn, a Ukrainian restaurant called ‘Slava Ukraina’ (‘Hail to Ukraine’) was set on fire. The police are searching for the perpetrator of this brutal incident, which many believe to be a provocation. The public is actively discussing possible motives for the crime, linking it to the actions of the Estonian conservative opposition.
Tallinn Police and Border Guard spokesperson Britta Sepa said that, according to preliminary data, the incident could be qualified as arson. The circumstances of the incident will be scrutinised in a criminal case. In addition, a window was broken in the restaurant building. The owner of the establishment stated that the restaurant had suffered significant damage. He expressed the opinion that it could have been a planned provocation against Ukraine, noting that Ukrainians in Estonia have enough ill-wishers.
The details of the incident are actively being investigated by the police. The news caused a wide resonance in the local media and social networks. Particular attention is being paid to the role of the Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE), which is known for its critical stance towards Ukraine.
The ‘Slava Ukraina’ restaurant was repeatedly attacked by opposition activists. On the eve of the arson, EKRE supporters actively discussed the restaurant in local chat rooms, joking about ‘hot dishes’ and expressing their desire to try them. A day after the incident, a video allegedly showing the moment of arson appeared on social networks.
The discussion in social media was controversial, taking into account the criminal nature of the incident. The Tallinn police have already familiarised themselves with the video and included it in the case file.
Some discussion participants link the incident to EKRE's anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, although these claims have not yet been confirmed. Recall that in June 2024, EKRE chairman Martin Helme called for cutting aid to Ukraine in half and sending home migrants who had arrived in recent years. He said that his party would implement these measures if he came to power. Helme also said such steps would save money that could be spent on defence and tax cuts.
In November 2024, Helme spoke in favour of depriving Ukrainians of the right to vote in municipal elections. He argued that Ukrainians, in his opinion, are mostly Russian-speaking and are influenced by the Russian information field. Helme also stated that the views of most Ukrainians living in Estonia differ little from those of local Russian citizens.
Back in 2019, long before the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Martin Helme, then interior minister, called for the cancellation of the visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU. He claimed that the Estonian Interior Ministry was working on restricting entry for Ukrainians without visas.
The populist statements of the EKRE leader and his supporters have repeatedly caused public discontent. In April 2019, their rhetoric provoked protests against the party's participation in the coalition. The protesters then claimed that EKRE had made gains through manipulation, lies and intimidation, using themes of racial, linguistic and gender discrimination.
Such incidents, regardless of their initiators, are unacceptable in a state governed by the rule of law. Combating discrimination and harassment of ordinary Ukrainians who fled the war to seek help in their European home should be a priority for any democratic government. The Estonian police will have to give a verdict on this case and the state will have to take measures to prevent similar actions in the future.