Putin’s ice hockey diplomacy reveals lasting scars of sport’s soft power
Recent Four Nations competition, which excluded Russia, clearly got beneath the skin of hockey-loving strongman
Amid the somewhat murky details emerging from Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s call on Tuesday – the two leaders discussed a halt on attacking energy infrastructure, then Russia immediately bombed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – one deal, at least, was clear: the US and Russia would resume playing ice hockey.
Although benign enough on the face of it, the idea of organised games in the US and Russia, between players of both countries, was yet another concession to Putin from Trump. Unlike the US president’s previous gifts – pre-emptively allowing Russia to keep the territory it has illegally invaded, refusing to give any security guarantees to Ukraine, and strongly hinting US sanctions would soon be lifted – this was soft power, wrapped in a pair of skate laces.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
-
Trump and Putin discuss a US-Russia hockey series during their call, the Kremlin says
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed a series of hockey games between players from their respective countries during their lengthy call Tuesday, according to ...ABC News - 1d -
NHL Commissioner Won't Speculate On Putin And Trump's Discussion About A USA-Russia Competition
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters on Wednesday that the league was caught off guard about the conversation that Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump previously had regarding a hockey ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin
President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a call Tuesday about the war in Ukraine amid continued fighting there. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro has more on what we know ...CBS News - 2d -
Trump, Putin float NHL-KHL games; league mum
President Donald Trump supported President Vladimir Putin's idea to organize hockey games between the U.S. and Russia during their phone call on Tuesday. In a statement, the NHL said it has no ...ESPN - 1d -
Trump previews Putin call, including potential negotiation topics
President Donald Trump plans to speak on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the U.S. president’s efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.ABC News - 3d -
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin float possibility of hockey matchup between NHL and Russian KHL; NHL declines to comment
The NHL cut off ties with the KHL in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Russia launches new attacks on Ukraine after Trump-Putin call
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a high-stakes phone call aimed at ending the war in Ukraine in what could be an initial step towards the White House’s goal of ...NBC News - 1d -
5 takeaways from Trump-Putin call on Ukraine ceasefire
President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a highly anticipated phone call Tuesday, after Ukraine last week agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in war. Putin rejected that ...The Hill - 2d -
Ukraine and Russia trade strikes after Putin declines to endorse Trump’s ceasefire proposal
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of air attacks on infrastructure, hours after a call between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump.NBC News - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
EU ready to impose more sanctions on Russia after summit talks
Show of unity marred by Viktor Orbán refusing to back declaration of support for Ukraine. EU leaders – apart from Hungary’s Viktor Orbán – say they are ready to increase pressure on Russia through ...The Guardian - 2h -
Thousands protest in Israel over ‘attack on democracy’ by Netanyahu
Protesters accuse PM of continuing Gaza war for political reasons and ignoring plight of hostages still held by Hamas. Israel–Gaza war – latest updates Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken ...The Guardian - 5h -
Tesla backer says Musk must reduce Trump work, as 46,000 Cybertrucks recalled
Dan Ives warns company is in ‘brand tornado crisis moment’ as it is removed from Vancouver auto show. Business live latest updates Tesla and Elon Musk are embroiled in a “brand tornado crisis ...The Guardian - 8h -
Kirsty Coventry elected first female president of IOC as Coe routed in vote
Zimbabwean former swimmer won majority in first round Sebastian Coe is third; Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr second The Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry has become the first woman to lead the ...The Guardian - 3h -
US man released after being held by Taliban for more than two years
George Glezmann was abducted more than two years ago while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist. US politics live – latest updates A US man who was abducted more than two years ago while ...The Guardian - 4h
More in World
-
Netherlands v Spain, Italy v Germany, Greece v Scotland, and more: Nations League – live
Nations League updates from 7.45pm GMT kick-offs Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Scott Steve Clarke talks to BBC Scotland: “Come into the stadium and you’re buzzing ...The Guardian - 28m -
How the High-Stakes Arrest of Rodrigo Duterte Unfolded
The man who ordered the Philippines’ bloody war on drugs is now in a cell at The Hague. Getting him there was far from a sure thing.The New York Times - 30m -
Trump to dramatically downsize education department but it will still handle student loans, says White House – live
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says DoE will be ‘much smaller’ due to executive order Trump will sign as critics say it is ‘dark day’ for US children. Revealed: Trump education cuts mean years ...The Guardian - 34m -
Karla Sofía Gascón says she is ‘less racist than Gandhi’ on return to public eye
Actor suggests she may have been intentionally smeared and says ‘no one has to forgive me’ after recent controversy. Karla Sofía Gascón has described herself as “ less racist than Gandhi ” and ...The Guardian - 52m -
Spanish parliament vote on cutting food waste will end ban on wolf hunting
Amendment brought by coalition of parties says wolves add to food waste due to remains of livestock they kill. The Spanish parliament has voted through a measure that will in effect lift the ...The Guardian - 1h