“See it as recognition”
FDP politician Rubin on Putin’s wanted list
February 15, 2024, 9:01 p.m
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The Hessian local politician Michael Rubin has Ukrainian and Belarusian roots. The FDP man has bad opinions about those in power in Minsk and Moscow. He is the first German to be on the Kremlin’s wanted list. “Not a big shock” for him.
The Frankfurt FDP local politician Michael Rubin has apparently been targeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Because of actions critical of the Kremlin, the Hesse man ended up on the Russian Interior Ministry wanted list. “It wasn’t a big shock for me. Actually, I could already suspect it, since my activities are directed against those in power in Russia and Belarus,” said Rubin.
A colleague of his came across the reporting on the wanted list from Moscow, which became known at the beginning of the week. He brought it to his attention, Rubin said. “After that, I did my own research on the Russian Interior Ministry website and saw my name and photo on the list.” He said he still feels safe in Germany and is in contact with the security authorities. “But I will be much more careful when traveling in the future.”
In addition to Rubin, the list includes Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuanian Culture Minister Simonas Kairys and Estonian State Secretary Taimar Peterkop. “The Russian Federation’s actions are not surprising as it is their usual intimidation tactic,” Kallas said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that these were “people who carry out hostile actions against historical memory and against our country.”
“Our effort is not in vain”
Rubin attributes the call for a manhunt against him to his political involvement in Germany. “I have been on the Belarusian Coordination Council for a year, which Minsk has classified as extremist. I also co-founded the Embassy of the People of Belarus to strengthen democratic forces in Belarus. This organization has also been classified as extremist.” Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, he has been fighting in Germany “against Putin propaganda and pro-Russian demonstrations and motorcades.”
He sees the fact that he has now landed on the list “more as recognition” for his activities. It is a sign that “we are not being overlooked and that I will be heard as a local politician in Minsk and Moscow,” said Rubin. “Our efforts are not in vain.” Rubin has Belarusian and Ukrainian roots, but has lived in Germany for around 30 years. For five years he was on the local advisory board of the FDP in Frankfurt am Main.
FDP leader Christian Lindner wrote on X: “Russia’s wave of searches makes one thing clear: the commitment of steadfast democrats to peace, freedom and the rule of law, such as that of our party colleague Michael Rubin, is having an impact.” The Treasury Secretary viewed Rubin’s inclusion on the list as an attempt at intimidation.