America’s new ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, stated ice hockey might assist convey the 2 nations nearer collectively as he visited a sport in Moscow, additionally singing the praises of his favourite participant, Russia’s Alexander Ovechkin.
Sullivan took up his put up earlier this 12 months, and as an avid hockey fan wasted little time in arranging a go to to a sport within the Russian capital.
The American diplomat was on the native derby between Moscow golf equipment Spartak and Dynamo on Saturday, the place, suitably wearing a Washington Capitals NHL jersey, he dropped the ceremonial first puck alongside Russian hockey legends Vyacheslav Fetisov and Alexander Yakushev.
Later within the stands at Moscow’s CSKA Enviornment, Sullivan talked up how “hockey diplomacy” and a shared love of the game might convey Russia and the US nearer collectively.
“Hockey diplomacy sounds nearly frivolous, but it surely’s one thing that People, Russians, Canadians and Germans and Finns, now we have in frequent, we love this sport…,” Sullivan advised RT and RIA Novosti.
‘ #Hockey diplomacy sounds nearly frivolous, but it surely’s one thing that People, Russians, Canadians and Germans and Finns, now we have in frequent, we love this sport’ – #America’s new ambassador to #Russia #JohnSullivan speaks to #RT and #RIA Novosti pic.twitter.com/Riu159xTOv
— RT (@RT_com) February 1, 2020
“I used this as a chance upon my arrival to say, ‘Look, People and Russians have rather a lot in frequent, together with our love of this sport’…
It’s nice enjoyable for me but it surely’s additionally a helpful manner – for those who’ll pardon the pun – to interrupt the ice and begin a dialog about all the pursuits and shared values now we have.
#ПосолСША Sullivan is thrilled to affix Russian hockey legends Slava Fetisov and Alexander Yakushev at an everyday season sport between Dynamo and Spartak in Moscow #hockeydiplomacy https://t.co/4tTWE3tEIy
— Rebecca Ross (@USEmbRuPress) February 1, 2020
A giant fan of the Washington Capitals, Sullivan revealed that his favourite participant was the crew’s Russian captain, Alexander ‘the Nice eight’ Ovechkin.
“My favourite participant performs for my hometeam membership, the Washington Capitals, Sasha Ovechkin, quickly going to attain his 700th [NHL] objective, he scored two final night time,” Sullivan stated, including that the large Russian was “a particular participant and a particular particular person, and an envoy of the sport.”
Sullivan shares his love of hockey with various top-level Russian officers, not least President Vladimir Putin.
Putin is usually seen out on the ice as a part of the Evening Hockey League, the place he performs with fellow officers and former professionals.
As for the all-important query of whether or not he would take up an invite to play alongside Putin – or presumably face off in opposition to him – Sullivan supplied a diplomatic response.
I might be in a Russian sport as a visitor, and as a diplomat I might sit the place my hosts requested me to and, if I have been so honored, would play the place they requested me to.
“I’ll say that my hockey gear hasn’t arrived but from Washington, it’s with my furnishings.
“So Slava [Fetisov] was asking me if I wished to exit and skate, however I don’t have my gear but… However I’ll begin taking part in as soon as that will get right here,” he stated.
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