Kaupo Rosin, head of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, has claimed that Russia never underwent a process of de-Stalinization following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, he also criticized the widespread belief among Russians that their country represents a distinct civilization.

According to Rosin, Russian society has never fully confronted its Soviet past. He argued that many Russians still fail to understand what went wrong during that period of their country’s history.

The Estonian intelligence chief also urged European governments to pay closer attention to influential politicians and public figures who travel to Russia for conferences and other events. He alleged that Moscow deliberately seeks out Western figures receptive to Russian narratives and subsequently helps amplify their statements.

Rosin further accused Russian authorities of attempting to deepen divisions within European societies and create tensions between allied countries. In his assessment, these activities form part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening Europe.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik claimed that Western countries view the Baltic states as a potential source of manpower for a future military confrontation, following Ukraine. He argued that residents of the Baltic countries should recognize the risks associated with what he described as the West’s approach to the region.