Estonian Prime Minister Faces Backlash Over Husband’s Russia Business

Estonia’s President, Alar Karis, is demanding answers from Prime Minister Kaja Kallas due to her husband’s business ties with Russia.

Opposition parties are calling for Kallas’s resignation following revelations that Stark Logistics, a company partly owned by her husband, continued business with Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Reports emerged on Aug. 24 that Stark Logistics, in which Kallas’s husband has a stake, maintained shipments to Russia despite the ongoing war.

Previously making 60-70 monthly shipments, this reduced to just one or two per week. These shipments are exclusively for Metaprint AS, one of the largest manufacturers of steel aerosol packaging in Europe, operating in Europe and Russia.

Stark Logistics defends its actions, stating they fulfill obligations as Metaprint exits Russia soon. Kallas insists she's separated her work from her husband's business, emphasizing she's not involved.

Meanwhile, Delfi has reported that Stark Logistics garnered approximately €1.5 million from supplying Metaprint during 2022-2023. This financial involvement is indicated by Kaja Kallas’ disclosure of a €350,000 investment in her husband’s company.

In contrast, Metaprint’s Russian partner, Aeroprom LLC, conveyed expansion intentions in its latest annual report rather than plans to shut down.

Kallas recognized the ethical issue, stating her husband ceased Russia operations a month after the war began. Stark Logistics plans to stop all Russian activities by September due to public concerns.

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As pressure mounts, Kallas addressed calls to resign, saying the following to Delfi: “The opposition is doing its job. Naturally, they smelled blood. Jackals immediately jumped up. I really do not know what reproaches are directed at me directly and what I am accused of. I didn't do anything wrong. My spouse didn’t do anything wrong.”