On April 3, 2026, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to award Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, First Class. In a statement on the ministry's website, Zakharova described the award, which has Christian symbolism, as 'satanism.' She accused Kallas of supporting policies including forced mobilization, corruption, and raids on Orthodox churches in Ukraine.
The Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise is a Ukrainian state award established in 1995. President Zelensky presented the award to Prime Minister Kallas during her official visit to Kyiv on April 2, 2026, citing her 'significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting state sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.' The award ceremony was documented on the Ukrainian presidential website.
Zakharova's comments represent the official position of the Russian government, which has been engaged in a full-scale war with Ukraine since 2022. Estonia, a NATO and EU member, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing military, financial, and humanitarian aid. The Russian statement did not provide evidence for its allegations against Kallas.
