After Talks with Trump: Putin Wants to Play Hockey

The Ukraine war was on the agenda when Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke on Tuesday. But during the over 90-minute long phone call, they also managed to discuss ice hockey.

» Published: March 18 2025

After Talks with Trump: Putin Wants to Play Hockey
Photo: Andrei Stasevich/AP/TT

Vladimir Putin, who himself has enjoyed lacing up his skates over the years, proposed that the USA and Russia meet on the rink, reports CNN.

Donald Trump, primarily associated with the much more tranquil golf, is said to have given the thumbs up.

"Donald Trump backed Vladimir Putin's proposal to organize ice hockey matches in the USA and Russia between Russian and American NHL and KHL players," it says in a statement from the Kremlin.

The North American hockey league NHL says in a statement to the news agency AP that they have just "become aware of the conversation" between Trump and Putin.

"Of course, we were not part of those discussions, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment right now," writes NHL.

Fredrik Wesslau, former deputy head of the EU mission in Ukraine and now at the Centre for East European Studies, says that the proposal can be seen as a "confidence-building measure" – which benefits Russia.

It breaks Russia's isolation when it comes to international sports. And it reminds us of the Cold War's ice hockey matches. It's a sign that Trump and Putin are products of the Cold War.

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By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald
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