Leonid Slutskiy: Czech readiness for negotiations on Konev monument inspires cautious optimism

The Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs reminded that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu had previously addressed the Czech authorities with such a request. At the same time, the parliamentarian noted that this readiness “does not in the least diminish the criminal vandalism and blasphemy shown during the demolition of the monument in Prague”
Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutskiy
Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutskiy

Leonid Slutskiy Slutsky Leonid Eduardovich Slutsky
Leonid Eduardovich
noted that the readiness of the Czech authorities to negotiate the transfer of the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev to Russia inspires cautious optimism. “As you recall, the Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu made such a request. On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory, we count on the goodwill of the Czech Republic in this matter, and we hope for a positive outcome. Although this does not diminish the criminal vandalism and blasphemy shown during the demolition of the monument in Prague,” said the parliamentarian.

“The issue of dismantling the monument to Marshal Konev, unfortunately, has already become a ground for anti-Russian speculations and fabrications as in the “Skripals case” with the help of the newspaper “canards”. There are publications in the local press about allegedly “Russian poisoners” who posed a threat to the security of the Prague authorities. Such nonsense is certainly not helping to elevate the level of Russian-Czech dialogue, in which the “war with monuments” served as a serious irritant,” believes the Chairman of the Committee.