European Union appointments spark controversy amid Russophobe claims

- Europe is undergoing a process of "Estonisation," and the most critical positions in the European Union have been appointed to Russophobes - said the Russian Foreign Minister, quoted on Thursday by the BNS agency.

Many reports provided by Russian state media and Kremlin officials are likely untrue. Such reports may be part of an information warfare campaign by the Russian Federation.

- Currently, yes (Europe is undergoing) Estonisation. The most ardent Russophobes have already been appointed as future leaders of the European Union structures. This is unfortunate - said Lavrov at the 10th "Primakov Readings" forum in Moscow.

On Thursday, a European Union summit begins, at which heads of state and government are expected to finalise the appointments to the highest positions in the Union.

According to the agreement of political factions in the new European Parliament, the Estonian Prime Minister, liberal Kaja Kallas, is to become the head of EU diplomacy, German Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen will remain the President of the European Commission, Maltese Christian Democrat Roberta Metsola will head the European Parliament, and the Social Democrat, former Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, will lead the European Council.

Kaja Kallas is an advocate of supporting Ukraine in the war with Russia and opposes weakening sanctions against Moscow. In February, she was placed on the Russian Interior Ministry's wanted list for "destroying and damaging Soviet soldiers' monuments" in Estonia.

The head of Russian diplomacy also recalled Europe's " Finlandisation " period. - That was a unique manifestation of euphoria that emerged after the end of the Cold War, adding that ideological divisions were abandoned at that time.

- We remember how foreign specialists worked in most of our government institutions, including the central bank, and how decisions were made regarding privatisation - said Lavrov. - Russian leaders then believed that foreigners would help us - he emphasised.

The term "Finlandisation," coined during the Cold War, describes how Finland adapted many elements of its policy to the will of the Soviet Union while officially remaining a neutral country and maintaining good relations with the West.