The atmosphere here is literally scorching hot. Russia just won 5-0 against Saudi Arabia. Just imagine those numbers: 5-0! The fans are celebrating the victory of the Russian team. You can clearly see that. It's currently happening all over the bleachers at Luzhniki Stadium.
And here's what was happening in the VIP bleachers. Rare shots from the personal cameraman of Vladimir Putin.
During the break, the Russian president and the crown prince of Saudi Arabia were sitting a the table with CIS leaders. They congratulated Putin on the runaway success of the Russian team and the start of the World Cup. The president of Azerbaijan with his wife, who is also the vice president.
- Congratulations!
And then we discover major political news: the World Cup allowed the head of Azerbaijan to meet the new Armenian prime minister who also came to Moscow.
- Congratulations!
- Thank you very much.
Gerhard Schröder came to Luzhniki accompanied by So-Yeon Kim. According to the press, they're getting married this fall.
Gerhard Schröder: “Congratulations. The atmosphere here is just great.
Nicolas Sarkozy called the Russian World Cup "fantastic".
There are so many VIPs here that presidents and prime ministers sometimes have to squeeze between their counterparts. Everybody's pushing and shoving. The prime minister of Lebanon asked Putin for a photo. A VIP selfie. The leader of Panama introduced his wife and son to the Russian president.
Negotiations on the go in non-stop mode with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. The head of Moldova approaches them. The president of Belarus was in the bleachers.
All of leaders who came to Moscow also played soccer upon arrival at Vnukovo Airport.
Aleksandr Lukashenko: "You're going to be the goalkeeper. OK, put two posts right here".
The members of the delegation were the posts.
Aleksandr Lukashenko: "The both of you stand there. OK... Ready? Post!"
However, President Lukashenko was resolute about scoring a goal. He literally did it without looking. But he went further.
Aleksandr Lukashenko: "Ready? OK! Good job! It means Russia will win today. You'll win today, but after that, you'll have to work hard. Good job! You took the penalty shot".
Top politicians rarely act like this but everything's possible at the Russian World Cup.
