Ukrainian organizations call for cancellation of concerts by pro-Russian duo ‘Kroliki’ in Estonia

The Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia (CUE) and 16 other Ukrainian organizations have called on the country’s Minister of Culture Heidy Purga to cancel planned concerts in Estonia by pro-Russian comedians Volodymyr Danylets and Vladimir Moiseienko of the “Kroliki” duo.

“These artists have publicly and for a long time supported the war of the aggressor state, the Russian Federation, against Ukraine, its aggressive policy, and spread Kremlin propaganda narratives,” the organizations said in an open letter to the Estonian ministry, ERR reports.

The performances are scheduled for Sept. 17 in Tallinn and Sept. 18 in Narva. In Estonia, the duo plans to present its anniversary program “The Best of 30 Years!”

In their appeal to the minister, the Ukrainian organizations emphasize that after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014, the artists continued to perform in Russia, participated in Russian state propaganda programs, and visited occupied Crimea.

“After the start of Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022, these artists did not condemn Russian aggression. In addition, they expressed anti-Ukrainian positions in the Russian media. They call Russian aggression against Ukraine a ‘fratricidal conflict,’” the document says.

The authors of the appeal emphasized that in July 2024, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially declared Danylets and Moiseienko personae non gratae and banned them from entering the country for an indefinite period due to their support for the Kremlin regime.

“Estonia has always been a firm and consistent supporter of Ukraine’s independence. When artists who support, justify, or ignore Russian aggression and occupation perform in Estonia, this contradicts the values of the Republic of Estonia and may cause tensions in society, threaten public order and security,” the appeal said.

The Ukrainian organizations called on officials to take urgent measures to cancel the concerts, “prevent their so-called cultural activities in Estonia, and ban them from entering the country.”