today 14:30
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“The Europeans seem to be the most loyal Russian KHL Slovaks,” wrote one of Russia’s sports websites in early June. Since then, these words have only been confirmed. In the KHL, two players currently have contracts, the third should join them. What does this mean in the context of world events?
At least three hockey players from Slovakia should play in Russia next season. Last season, there were six of them in the KHL, only a defender so far Michal Tchaikovsky confirmed that he remains to play in Russia, specifically in Siberia Novosibirsk.
A defender will join him Christián Jarošwho fought for the NHL last year in the New Jersey Devils – will play in the Avangard Omsk jersey.
According to the latest information, the third Slovak in the Russian league will be the forward of the first formation from the world championships Michal Krištofwhich should terminate the contract with the Czech Comet Brno in order to strengthen Admiral Vladivostok.
We talked to a political scientist and a native of Russia about the decision to go and play in the country that attacked our eastern neighbor militarily. Grigory Mesezhnikova Czech analyst Pavel Havlíček from the Association for International Affairs and the State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Martin Klus.
IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF IGNORANCE
How do they view the decision of Slovak hockey players to stay or sign a new contract in the KHL? “There is currently a rogue regime in Russia, which Slovakia considers an enemy state. It’s on the official list. How can anyone consider operating in such a country? Of course, they will be abused by Russian propaganda, we can look forward to that in quotes, ” he said Grigory Mesezhnikov.
He points out that the players themselves may find themselves in uncomfortable situations in Russia under certain circumstances. “We do not know what else will happen and how the war will turn out. Very unpleasant crisis situations can arise, where NATO can also get involved. In that case, our citizens in Russia may also be the target of attacks. This is not a good decision in today’s situation, ” commented on the possible future of Slovak hockey players.
How can they be abused in propaganda? “They can push for them to speak out in favor of Russia. As the country’s current regime is run by the secret services, they can organize anything against them and then blackmail them to present opinions in their favor. Russia cannot be trusted in anything.
Going to Russia means being absolutely out of everything that has happened in recent months. It is a manifestation of ignorance. They have no idea where they are going and how this country has changed. Russia is different today and is hostile to us. “
Photo gallery
Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin
Source: TASR
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Sport has long been an instrument of propaganda in Russia, especially hockey, with which President Vladimir Putin has a warm relationship.
“Sport is a matter of state policy in Russia. It is used politically, propagandistically or diplomatically. Of course, they are unhappy that they are isolated from the rest of the world. In addition, Russia is an example of various distortions in sport. From corruption, to buying world championships or the Olympic Games, to doping scandals.
Russia is a symbol of toxicity in sports. Our hockey players certainly had other alternatives. Apparently they got a lucrative offer, but the price for it can be too high. Also for them personally. In the current information hybrid war against the West, they can also be abused against their will.
More lucrative offers seem to lead them to totally ignore what is an absolute priority in the world today. The war in Ukraine is changing everything, ” added political scientist Grigory Mesezhnikov.
They CAN BECOME USEFUL IDIOTS
Pavel Havlíček drew attention to the fact that hockey is a popular sport, either of Vladimir Putin or of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. They even have joint hockey matches. The signatures of Slovaks in Russia can therefore be significantly misused.
“These things are also part of Russian propaganda. It will not contribute to anything good. Hockey is very exposed in Eastern Europe. We know the love of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, and it is a matter of prestige for them. Hockey is a more sensitive area in this. “
Can Slovaks inadvertently and inadvertently serve as a propaganda tool? “Not necessarily and not directly themselves, but in this respect they can become useful idiots. By operating and playing there, they will indirectly legitimize and pretend to be the normal local environment and the functioning of Russia in a situation where most of the world is turning away from Russian hockey. “
Both Russia and Belarus were excluded from all hockey events organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after the start of the war. They didn’t even play at the World Cup and it will be the same next year.
In the case of Russian hockey players, however, the situation is different. They can continue to operate in either the European leagues or the overseas NHL. For example, the case of Alexander Ovechkin is well known, who continues to play despite the fact that he publicly supported Vladimir Putin in his candidacy for president and still has a profile photo with him on Instagram.
Photo gallery
Vladimir Putin with Alexander Ovechkin
Source: instagram.com/aleksandrovechkinofficial
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CONSIDERING TO TRAVEL THERE AND NOT WORKING YET
Martin Klus, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also sees the abuse of Slovak hockey players for propaganda. “It cannot be ruled out that players from Europe or overseas could be abused by Russian propaganda. As they say, drowning and straw catches. They can take their example as a symbol that Russia is not doing anything wrong and that nothing is wrong in Russia. Unfortunately, Russian propaganda also works on such principles. “
Apart from the Slovaks, no player’s arrival in the KHL from another European country was confirmed before the current season. The new treaties are mainly signed by Canadians. On the contrary, hockey players from other countries are leaving en masse. Sweden and Finland, for example, have issued a statement stating that players who sign a contract with the KHL will not be able to represent their country.
How does the Slovak Ice Hockey Association react to this? “It simply came to our notice then. We will see what the situation will be in November. We hope that by then the whole situation will settle and change positively and we will not have to deal with such things. ” said the president of the union Miroslav Satan. The first event of the senior national team is in November.
Hockey players can expect various complications after signing the contract and working in Russia. “It will not be easy for the players themselves, at least in terms of logistics.
European and Russian airspace are currently incompatible. And also in terms of the consular agenda, if they needed the help of our European embassies.
There has been a significant reduction in the diplomatic corps of individual countries. This may also affect their normal operation in a completely different way from what they were used to until recently. ” Martin Klus said.
If Slovakia wanted to prevent possible problems or prevent the abuse of citizens for pro-Russian propaganda, could it ban the signing of treaties in Russia?
“Something like this would probably have to be done as part of European solutions to sanctions against Russia. However, I have not yet seen that the bans should apply to our citizens heading for Russia.
In any case, the warning from several Member States of the European Union towards Russia is that such situations may arise and it is necessary to consider whether to travel there at all and not yet work or study. ” added Martin Klus.
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