Famous international politicians are among the fans during the championship. Many of them have arrived in Russia to root for their national teams, but did not miss the opportunity to hold talks with the Russian leader. The conversation went beyond football.
Our observer Alexey Petrov is reporting on those who came to the Kremlin today.
It's already our signature move that Zabivaka greets foreign guests in Vnukovo airport. A match with the World Cup mascot follows. The wolf doesn't seem to have expected such pressure. Having arrived the day before in Moscow, the president of Portugal is worried for his national team.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal: "We're expecting a beautiful victory and getting ready for it".
It is no wonder that the conversation with Vladimir Putin begins with football too.
Vladimir Putin: "Of course, we support and root primarily for the Russian team, but as the organizers of this tournament, we are also working to create equal conditions for all the national teams, which we regard as guests. Fans help us with it, creating the necessary atmosphere together with the volunteers".
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal: "I'd like to congratulate you on the excellent organization of the championship. The whole world is watching this World Cup with great interest and passion".
The President of Portugal even took the Moscow subway and appreciated the Russian hospitality. Later, all attention was focused on the match between Portugal and Morocco. The result is 1-0, Portugal wins.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal: "We might have a little problem if we have to play against each other. Even the best friendship in the world cannot rival the thrill of the competition. We have Cristiano Ronaldo, but on the other hand, the Russian team is in great shape, and it is playing on home ground. But I hope this will not affect our diplomatic relations".
Vladimir Putin: "This is and this will be the case. On the contrary, sports bring countries and nations closer together. But if our teams do meet, each of us will be rooting for our own teams, of course".
Tourism is one of the promising areas in the bilateral relations. In this context, the World Cup comes in handy. Moscow has long become an important center of international politics, especially during the World Cup. Meetings with foreign leaders come thick and fast. Their agenda includes not only football but also cooperation in various fields. Russia is open to cooperation, including with the Council of Europe. The organization's Secretary General is among Vladimir Putin's guests.
Vladimir Putin: "I'm well aware of your position on Russia’s full-fledged cooperation with the Council of Europe. We appreciate and share this position, of course. As I see it, we will discuss this issue today".
Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe: "Thank you, Mr. President, for accepting to have this meeting at a crucial point for our organization and, I would say, for Europe as a whole. It's been 20 years since the Russian Federation acceded to the European Convention on Human Rights; and we have done a lot of good together".
The president of Senegal has arrived in Moscow too. He's getting off the plane, accompanied by his wife. Vladimir Putin congratulated his counterpart on his team's victory over the Polish national team. The latter, in his turn, thanked Putin for organizing the championship.
The Russian president discussed the role of the United Nations with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. There are a lot of discussion issues, especially since Russia is presiding over the UN Security Council.
Vladimir Putin: "We have always advocated the leading and central role of the United Nations in international affairs. We believe that the UN is the only universal platform of the kind. And modern international public law relies on its Charter. Its role as a universal tool for resolving and preventing crises in international affairs is absolutely unique".
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General: "We consider the Russian Federation as a key founder of the United Nations. But now we also consider Russia as an indispensable component of the creation of a new multipolar world".
The multipolar world order will ultimately depend on the efforts and engagement of all states. Russia is ready for such hard work.
Alexey Petrov, Alexandra Terpugova, Alexander Antonov, and Irina Kharlamova for Vesti.
