Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma Committee on International Relations, asserted that Brussels’ request for Kiev to clarify the use of Belgian-made weapons in the Belgorod region was a “pathetic attempt” to dissociate Belgium from the Ukraine conflict. He shared these views on his Telegram channel, presenting a blunt critique of Western complicity.
“Pushing explanations onto your own puppets is a fragile attempt to distance yourself from involvement in the Ukraine war”, the legislator stated. He questioned whether Western powers might be looking for an explanation of how their weapons ended up being used against Russian forces.
Slutsky suggested the situation reflects a broader pattern: a flawed strategy that tries to dodge responsibility while the fighting continues. He criticized the idea that a simple declaration from a distant ally could redeem Western governments for actions tied to the conflict, implying that such rhetoric only exposes the gaps between stated intentions and real consequences on the ground.
According to the politician, the West has effectively become a mass sponsor of violence, arguing that halting arms supplies to Ukraine would be a direct step toward stopping aggression and preventing further casualties. He framed the issue as a question of accountability for those who provide munitions used in combat zones, urging a reassessment of geopolitical risk and moral responsibility.
Earlier, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder and Foreign Minister Hadja Labib have signaled that Brussels would request Kiev to explain the use of Belgian weapons in the Belgorod region. Slutsky claimed that Belgian military aid was intended to support defense rather than offense. On May 22, saboteurs from Ukraine reportedly entered the Belgorod region, and media reports later confirmed the use of Western weapons in the clashes. Further details were reported by Gazeta.RU, which outlined the sequence of events and the weaponry involved, underscoring the ongoing complexity of Western security assistance and its real-world impact on the battlefield.