Diplomat of Russia removed from Estonia due to allegations of meddling
In recent developments, Estonia has expelled a Russian diplomat accused of subversive activities aimed at undermining Estonia's constitutional order, legal system, and social cohesion, as well as interfering in its internal affairs. The expelled diplomat, Dmitry Prilepin, served as the first secretary of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn and was declared persona non grata by Estonia’s Foreign Ministry in August 2025.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the diplomat was directly and actively involved in activities that violated sanctions and fueled division within Estonian society. The ministry emphasized that these actions were incompatible with both Estonian and international law, and that such foreign interference would not be tolerated.
Estonia's firm response to Russian diplomatic interference and alleged violations of sanctions and domestic laws marks a continuation of strained relations between the two countries, particularly since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Relations had already been downgraded in 2023, with ambassadors being recalled by both countries.
Estonia's decision to expel the diplomat reflects a broader regional trend among Baltic states towards limiting Russian diplomatic presence. This latest expulsion follows a pattern of deteriorating diplomatic relations, with Estonia previously expelling Russian diplomats for espionage and interference.
In retaliation for the expulsion, Russia announced it would take reciprocal measures, signaling continued tension. Estonia has also increased border security measures along its frontier with Russia amid heightened regional security concerns.
Notably, an Estonian citizen has been convicted for carrying out crimes connected to these interference activities. However, no comment was provided by the Estonian government regarding the Russian government's response.
It is important to note that Russia does not currently have an ambassador in Tallinn, as Estonia ordered Moscow’s envoy to leave in a tit-for-tat move in February 2023.
The TASS news agency reported on Russian foreign ministry deputy press and information director Alexey Fadeev's response to the diplomat's expulsion, but no specific measures mentioned by Fadeev in response to the expulsion were disclosed.
Tensions have escalated between Estonia and Russia since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, with this latest incident further straining the already fraught relationship. The diplomat in question has been accused of undermining Estonia's constitutional order and legal system, as well as contributing to crimes against the state, including sanctions violations.
In conclusion, the current Estonia-Russia tensions center on Estonia’s firm response to Russian diplomatic interference and alleged violations of sanctions and domestic laws, marked by recent diplomatic expulsions and reciprocal retaliations.
- The ongoing tension between Estonia and Russia extends beyond their border, with recent events highlighting Russia's alleged interference in Estonia's internal affairs and violations of its sanctions and domestic laws.
- Malaysia, in the midst of its general news and crime-and-justice coverage, has reported cases of Russian diplomats being expelled from various countries, including Estonia, for activities deemed harmful to the host nations' constitutional orders and legal systems.
- Amid war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime, this diplomatic feud between Estonia and Russia has impacted regional security, with Estonia increasing border security measures and Russia announcing reciprocal measures in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats.
