City leaders in a North Carolina coastal community have decided not to host a Russian war monument. Elizabeth City Council voted to reject the proposal earlier this week.
The 25-ton bronze statue would have been placed in the U.S. Coast Guard Park to honor Allied aviators from World War II who died after their plane crashed in Elizabeth City's Pasquotank River in 1945.
Russia was prepared to pay for it, and the municipality would have provided money for improvements to the recreation area. But after some tentative approvals, the Elizabeth City Council ultimately decided not to move forward with the project.
According to the News and Observer, some council members said they voted against it because they had received calls from constituents who were opposed to the monument.
Critics of the council's decision believe it was influenced by strained relations between the U.S. and Russia over accusations of Russian meddling in the presidential election, and recent claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country has developed a nuclear missile that can pierce US defenses.
There has been talk that the monument could be moved to private property in the city, but community supporters say they hope Elizabeth City Council members will change their mind.