At the same time, the criticisms came as no surprise, Viljandi Mayor Jaak Pihlak (Isamaa) said. He called it political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections.

Pihlak put the removal down to a "technical mishap," not least due to political opponents being able to capitalize on this mishap. He noted that while they were indeed taken down from the wall of the Viljandi town hall last week, the flags were due to be re-hoisted on nearby flagpoles on Monday, January 13.

Pihlak denied that the temporary disappearance of the Ukrainian flags was connected to Isamaa's coalition partner in Viljandi, EKRE. He said he had "not felt pressure from them, and I would not allow myself to be pressured."

He also reaffirmed his support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia's war of aggression. He qualified his words by saying Ukrainians who have relocated to Estonia have their part to play in contributing to the running of the country, including in its defense. He added that he "constantly" sees Ukrainians who do not fulfill this task.

Pihlak said he raised the issue of the flags within the city government as early as December 15. Then, on January 2, he issued an order that they be removed from the side of city hall and raised on flagpoles instead.

He said the gap was due to Ukrainian flags of the required size not arriving on Friday.

Sakala later reported the Ukrainian flags were taken down from the wall of the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 6, though notifications on that only reached social media and Sakala itself on Friday, 9 January.

Seven former mayors of Viljandi, though excluding two ex-mayors from Isamaa, also issued a joint statement over the weekend, condemning the city government's move, and called for Ukrainian flags to be flown again in front of the town hall.

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