This was discussed in interview with the head of Odesa, which was published by LB.ua.
Gennadiy Trukhanov affirmatively answered the question of Sonia Koshkina, the editor-in-chief of the publication, about supporting the idea of removing Catherine II from the pedestal in the center of Odessa and moving it somewhere to a specially created place, and in her place put something new or leave an empty place.
Also, the head of Odesa explained his recent interview to the Italian media, which made a lot of noise in Ukraine:
"Regarding Catherine, as this monument is called, I was actually asked this question in an interview with Corriere della Sera. But there, once again, the phrase that "Trukhanov is against demolition" is taken out of context. This is how it sounded in the version of the Italian newspaper. In fact, I said that I was against the demolition... And then it went on - against the barbaric demolition of the monument.
I will not break it with a sledgehammer or demolish it, as some politicians or social organizations demand of me. The phrase "I am against demolition" is taken from this. But there is a big difference. I am against barbaric demolition - I will not act like vandals."
The monument to Catherine II and her associates has been asked to be dismantled almost since its installation. Photo: open sources
The official again expressed himself, who, together with his command, proposes to arrange a park of the Soviet and imperial periods, where decommunized sculptures could be moved. At Koshkina's call to remove the monument to Catherine II, Trukhanov recalled that there used to be a fountain in its place:
"In 1873, it seems, if my memory serves me right, there was one of the largest and most beautiful fountains in the city at this place."
The mayor of Odesa also said that a special toponymic commission is currently working, which has already considered 200 streets that need to be renamed. "This is not a complete list of these streets, there are many more. But the work continues," the politician added.
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