Ukrainian Groups Urge NHL to Reject KHL Collaboration After Trump-Putin Talks
NEW YORK – More than two dozen Ukrainian-American and Ukrainian-Canadian organizations are calling on the National Hockey League (NHL) to reject any collaboration with Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The appeal follows discussions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential hockey games between American and Russian professional players.
The Kremlin stated last month that Trump expressed support for Putin’s concept of hosting games in both the U.S. and Russia. This comes after Russia faced exclusion from international sporting events following its invasion of ukraine.
Open Letter Condemns Potential KHL Collaboration
Groups, including Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based non-profit providing non-military aid to ukraine, have implored NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to denounce any such collaboration. In an open letter, the groups argue that these matches would be disrespectful to millions of NHL fans in the U.S. and Canada, particularly those of Ukrainian descent.
“Were such matches to take place, they would be an affront to millions of American and Canadian NHL fans and to people of Ukrainian descent in both countries,” the letter stated. “We urge you to express prompt,public,and unequivocal opposition to this suggestion.”
NHL Response
An NHL spokesperson indicated that the league was not party to the initial conversation and remains unaware of further discussions on the matter.
KHL Remains Silent
The KHL, comprising 20 teams in Russia and one each in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Ovechkin’s Milestone and Putin’s Praise
The call to bar collaboration comes as Russian hockey star Alex Ovechkin recently achieved his 895th career NHL goal,surpassing wayne Gretzky’s record. Ovechkin, a known supporter of Putin, was lauded by the Russian leader as a “legendary master” of hockey. “Without a doubt,this achievement has become not only your personal success,but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad,” Putin said in a statement.
Why do Ukrainian groups believe NHL collaboration with the KHL would be problematic, given Russia’s current geopolitical actions?
Ukrainian Groups Urge NHL to Reject KHL Collaboration After Trump-Putin Talks
NEW YORK – More than two dozen Ukrainian-American and Ukrainian-Canadian organizations are calling on the National Hockey League (NHL) to reject any collaboration with Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). the appeal follows discussions between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding potential hockey games between American and Russian professional players.
The kremlin stated last month that Trump expressed support for Putin’s concept of hosting games in both the U.S.and Russia. This comes after Russia faced exclusion from international sporting events following its invasion of ukraine.
Open Letter Condemns Potential KHL Collaboration
Groups, including Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based non-profit providing non-military aid to ukraine, have implored NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to denounce any such collaboration. In an open letter, the groups argue that these matches would be disrespectful to millions of NHL fans in the U.S. and Canada, particularly those of Ukrainian descent.
“Were such matches to take place, they would be an affront to millions of American and Canadian NHL fans and to people of Ukrainian descent in both countries,” the letter stated. “We urge you to express prompt,public,and unequivocal opposition to this suggestion.”
NHL Response
An NHL spokesperson indicated that the league was not party to the initial conversation and remains unaware of further discussions on the matter.
KHL Remains Silent
The KHL,comprising 20 teams in Russia and one each in Belarus,Kazakhstan,and China,has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Ovechkin’s Milestone and Putin’s Praise
The call to bar collaboration comes as Russian hockey star Alex Ovechkin recently achieved his 895th career NHL goal,surpassing wayne Gretzky’s record. Ovechkin, a known supporter of Putin, was lauded by the Russian leader as a “legendary master” of hockey. “Without a doubt,this achievement has become not only your personal success,but also a real celebration for fans in Russia and abroad,” Putin said in a statement.
Q&A: NHL, KHL, and the Political Ice
Why are Ukrainian groups concerned about potential NHL-KHL collaboration?
ukrainian-American and Canadian groups believe such collaboration would legitimize Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, particularly given the exclusion of Russian athletes from many international events. They see it as disrespectful to ukrainian people and NHL fans with Ukrainian heritage.
What exactly is the KHL?
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is a professional ice hockey league primarily based in Russia, with teams also in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China. It’s often considered the second-best hockey league in the world after the NHL.
What did trump and Putin discuss regarding hockey?
According to the Kremlin, trump expressed support for Putin’s idea of hosting hockey games between NHL and KHL players in both the U.S. and Russia. This idea has caused an uproar among the Ukrainian community.
What has the NHL said in response to these concerns?
The NHL stated that it was not involved in the initial conversation between Trump and Putin and is unaware of any further discussions regarding the matter. They have not taken a public stance.
Who is Alex Ovechkin, and why is his recent achievement relevant?
Alex Ovechkin is a prominent Russian hockey player and a known supporter of Vladimir Putin. He recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, and Putin publicly praised him. This highlights the intertwined nature of sports and politics in this situation.
What can fans do?
Fans can make their voices heard by contacting the NHL through their website or social media and clearly expressing their views. This shows the League the broad range of feelings on the matter.
The potential for collaboration between the NHL and KHL remains uncertain. However,the concerns raised by Ukrainian groups highlight the importance of considering the ethical and political implications of such sporting ventures.
