Political scientist: Russia has reacted wrongly to the demolition of monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague

22.07.2020, Moscow.

Russian diplomats reacted inadequately to the demolition of the monument to Soviet Marshal Konev in the Czech capital. Political scientist, doctor of philosophy Eduard Popov expressed this opinion in a conversation with a Rossa Primavera News Agency’s correspondent on July 22.

On April 3 in Prague, the monument to the Soviet Marshal, who liberated the Czech Republic, was removed from the pedestal by the decision of the head of the Prague-6 district Ondřej Kolář.

The Russian side launched a criminal case on April 10 in response to the barbaric demolition.

“The weakness of this position is that, first of all, we act as aggressors, and thus we rally also many worthy Czechs around these scoundrels in Prague. It is not a coincidence that Czech President Milos Zeman, who himself has previously spoken out sharply negative about this scandalous person, condemned the decision of the Russian side to institute criminal proceedings against Kolář.

And, secondly, showing aggression, we are unable to take these threats to a logical end. If we opened a criminal case on the fact of demolition of the monument and could not bring this case to court, what respect to our justice can we talk about?” said Popov.

According to the political scientist, Russia has simultaneously demonstrated aggression and powerlessness, and “there can be no worse combination.”

“Time has shown the rightness of this skeptical, critical attitude, unfortunately. Now the pro-Russian Czechs have found themselves in such a position of deep disappointment with Russia’s position, because these loud words were not followed by a logical action, and there was no punishment for the guilty, these criminals, morally and legally,” said Popov.

He noted that now it’s typical for all Russian diplomacy to underestimate soft power, “so the quality of Russian soft power and diplomacy is limping not in one leg, but in both legs. As a result, Russia is taking” completely botched steps and serving as an object for new attacks.

“With such a method of action, we are doomed to endlessly repeat mistakes and lose our supporters abroad,” says Popov.

The monument to Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal Ivan Konev was solemnly opened on May 9, 1980 on Interbrigade Square in Prague.

Background

On April 3, the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev was demolished in Prague. The monument was erected in 1980 on the 35th anniversary of the liberation of Prague by Soviet troops from fascist invaders. The head of the municipality of Prague-6 explained the reason for the demolition by the fact that the marshal did not have a mask to wear during the coronavirus pandemic.

On April 6, an appeal to other regional civic chambers entitled “Let’s return the monument to Marshal Ivan Konev to his homeland! There is no forgiveness for the traitors of the memory of the ancestors-heroes!” was published on the website of the Civic Chamber of the Ryazan region.

On April 9, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu appealed to his Czech colleague to hand over the monument to Konev to Moscow. Shoigu expressed regret that the demolition took place on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Victory.

Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

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