Russian LDPR leader Slutsky rejects EU accusations over Aleshki blockade
In short
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of Russia's LDPR party, called the European Commission's accusations that Russia is blockading the town of Aleshki in the Kherson region false and cynical. TASS quoted him as saying the European Commission had “hit the bottom” with the accusations and that Brussels was acting by the methods of information provocations. The documents do not set out what the European Commission actually said or whether it has responded.
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Leonid Slutsky, chairman of Russia's LDPR party, rejected accusations that Russia is blockading the town of Aleshki in the Kherson region, describing the European Commission's claims as “false and cynical”, according to RIA Novosti, TASS and RBC. The three outlets reported the statement in similar terms, with RBC identifying Slutsky as the chairman of the Russian party LDPR. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
TASS reported that Slutsky said the European Commission had “hit the bottom” with its accusations against Russia, and quoted him as saying that Brussels was acting by the methods of information provocations. The documents do not reproduce the European Commission's statement, describe conditions in Aleshki, or indicate whether Brussels has replied to Slutsky. They also do not say where or when Slutsky made the remarks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The statement puts a senior Russian party leader publicly on record against an accusation from the European Union's executive arm, adding to the rhetorical dispute between Moscow and Brussels. Because the documents carry only a Russian official and business outlet and no European response, the practical consequences of the exchange cannot be assessed from them.
Key facts
- Leonid Slutsky, chairman of Russia's LDPR party, called the European Commission's accusations that Russia is blockading the town of Aleshki in the Kherson region false and cynical. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- TASS quoted Slutsky as saying the European Commission had “hit the bottom” with the accusations against Russia. [ 2 ]
- Slutsky said Brussels was acting by the methods of information provocations, according to TASS. [ 2 ]
- The accusations concern the situation of the town of Aleshki in the Kherson region, according to the outlets' reports. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The reports do not state where or when Slutsky made the statement. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What exactly the European Commission accused Russia of, and when. The outlets only refer to the accusations while reporting Slutsky's reaction; no document sets out the Commission's statement or its wording.
- Whether the European Commission or any EU body has responded to Slutsky's remarks. No document mentions a reaction from Brussels.
- What the situation in Aleshki itself is, including any blockade or its effects on residents. The documents describe the dispute over the accusation but give no detail on conditions in the town.
- Where and when Slutsky made the statement. Only the outlets' publication times are given; the place and time of the statement are not stated.
- The exact wording of Slutsky's “hit the bottom” remark in Russian and a full translation. It appears only in a TASS headline and summary, without the surrounding text of the statement.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti publishes its report that Slutsky called the EU's accusations over the blockade of Aleshki “false and cynical”. [ 1 ]
- TASS publishes its report that Slutsky said the European Commission “hit the bottom” with the accusations, adding that Brussels was acting by the methods of information provocations. [ 2 ]
- RBC publishes its report that Slutsky called the European Commission's accusations over Aleshki false. [ 3 ]