Trump supported Putin’s idea of ​​hockey games among Russian players’

President Donald Trump “supported the idea of ​​organized hockey games among American and Russian players during his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Comments came as a part Long call among world leaders He gathered around the current conflict in Ukraine.

“Donald Trump supported Vladimir Putin’s idea of ​​organizing hockey matches between Russian and American players playing in NHL and KHL in the United States and Russia,” he said.

Russia and Belarus were banned by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 by the International Ice Hockey Federation from all international tournaments and competitions.

NHL tried to make any comments about the news in a statement published on multiple outlets.

The League, “President Trump and President Putin we have noticed the conversation,” he said. “Obviously, we were not a party to these controversy, and it is not appropriate for us to comment right now.”

IIHF has expanded the ban on Russia and Belarus until 2025-26 season, including the next winter Olympics in Italy since the competitions operated by the Federation.

These games indicate that NHL players will participate in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

The IIHF Council stated security concerns about the decision to continue exile, but the International Olympic Committee has one last say as to whether Russia and Belarus can compete in the Olympics.

Since the war began, NHL has had a relationship with KHL, and told his teams to establish any contact with the Russian clubs.

NHL also made a broadcast agreement to carry its games on Russia TV.

In the past, NHL and KHL had played a few exhibition games in 2010 with two matches among both leagues in the past.