- During their recent telephone conversation - marking the resumption of regular high-level contacts - President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin agreed to foster closer relations between our countries, including in the realm of sports. Specifically, the presidents expressed support for organizing friendly matches between leading Russian and American hockey players from the KHL and NHL in both nations. Do you believe this idea has the potential to materialize?
- Yes, I believe it can materialize. President Trump understands that sport can reopen doors that politics has kept closed. Hockey is a natural place to begin because the United States and Russia share extraordinary talent, history and respect for the game.
But we should not stop at hockey. Football is the world's game, and with FIFA and the relevant national federations, I would also welcome an international friendly between our two national teams.
Perhaps sooner rather than later, our great nations can meet again on a football pitch - not to pretend that one match can resolve every disagreement, but to show that competition can reopen conversation.
Football unites the world because it belongs to everyone. My role in Global Partnerships is to help turn good ideas into practical conversations. Hockey and football can both remind us that rivalry does not have to mean hostility.
- As the US President's Special Representative, you have repeatedly publicly advocated for the reinstatement of the Russian flag and anthem at international sports competitions. How do you assess Russia's prospects of participating fully and without restrictions at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
- I have consistently supported the principle that athletes should not become permanent substitutes for political negotiations. The return of the Russian flag and anthem for Paralympians in Italy was a meaningful step, and I welcomed it. I am optimistic that continued progress can create a credible route toward fuller Russian participation at Los Angeles 2028.
America should host Games that are secure, fair and open to every eligible athlete. That would reflect President Trump's confidence in American leadership and Secretary Rubio's belief in practical engagement backed by clear rules.
- Russian and American athletes have a long-standing tradition of competing for top honors in numerous sports - hockey, basketball, swimming, running, figure skating, gymnastics, and others. Do you think that the absence or limited participation of Russian athletes in major international competitions diminishes the value of victories for American athletes, depriving them of strong and worthy opponents?
- The best champions want to beat the best. When major athletes are absent for reasons unrelated to their individual conduct, the competition loses something and the public knows it. That does not take away the medals earned by American athletes, who compete under the rules placed before them, but the greatest victories are the ones achieved against the strongest possible field. American and Russian athletes have elevated one another for generations. Real competition creates respect, and respect is one of the few diplomatic currencies that never loses value.
- Amidst the widespread politicization of sports, is there an opportunity for the United States and Russia to set an example of fair and equal cooperation? How can we demonstrate that the true spirit of sport remains alive and well? What concrete steps can be taken to achieve this goal?
- Yes. The United States and Russia can compete fiercely while cooperating fairly. The first steps should be practical: establish a joint sports working channel, develop the proposed hockey series, explore a FIFA international friendly between our national football teams, restore youth and coaching exchanges, support university competitions, invite retired champions to serve as goodwill ambassadors and create clear pathways for eligible athletes to return under transparent rules.
President Trump believes in peace through strength and in agreements that produce visible results. Sport offers exactly that kind of opportunity. We do not need to agree on everything before athletes and fans are allowed to meet. Perhaps sooner rather than later, the first whistle on a football pitch can begin a new conversation. Sometimes the handshake after the match is what makes the next diplomatic step possible.
- You met Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov in Bishkek recently. How did that meeting go, and what issues did you discuss?
- I had a constructive and direct conversation with Minister Degtyaryov. We discussed sport, Los Angeles 2028 and the potential for sporting engagement between Americans and Russians. I came away believing there is an opportunity here.
The United States and Russia have produced some of the greatest athletes in history And I think we sometimes forget what an extraordinary achievement that is.An elite athlete can spend ten, fifteen or twenty years preparing for moments that may last only seconds or minutes.
President Trump has always believed in celebrating excellence and winners. Sport is one of the purest places where you can see what excellence requires.
And great athletes understand something else. You can desperately want to defeat your opponent and still respect him. That lesson is valuable far beyond sport. That is why I believe we should think bigger.
I would like to see an American-Russian football match. National teams if the circumstances allow it. If that cannot happen immediately, then explore a legends match or another exhibition format.
Bring young players around it. Bring coaches together. Give children in both countries the opportunity to meet athletes they admire.
- Do you plan further meetings with Russian officials? Would you like to travel to Russia for talks?
- If there is a serious purpose and the proper channels support it, yes, I would go to Moscow. I am not interested in travelling simply for a photograph. I am interested in whether something useful can be accomplished.
That is one of the qualities I admire about President Trump's approach. He is willing to talk. He is willing to negotiate. But ultimately he asks: what is the result?
Secretary Rubio brings that same focus to American diplomacy - clarity about American interests combined with a willingness to engage seriously when engagement can produce something.
Let's explore an American-Russian football match. Let's explore serious American-Russian hockey cooperation. Let's build on what has already happened in wrestling.
President Trump and President Putin have already discussed American-Russian hockey games. That creates an interesting starting point.
I would particularly like to explore a USA-Russia Hockey Legends event.
Think about what that could represent. Great American champions. Great Russian champions. The athletes people grew up watching.
Then put young players around them. Coaching clinics. Youth exchanges. Meetings between academies.
Alexander Ovechkin is an obvious example of the extraordinary connection sport can create.
A Russian athlete came to Washington and earned the admiration of millions of Americans through performance, longevity and dedication.
American athletes have built the same respect internationally.
People recognize excellence. That is powerful. I would like us to use it.
Football gives us enormous global reach. Hockey gives us a remarkable shared tradition.
Wrestling has already proven that Americans and Russians can meet and compete.
And then we can look beyond those three sports.
Why shouldn't the United States and Russia create more opportunities for their athletes and young people to meet?
We do not have to agree on every political question before an American child can kick a football with a Russian child.
We do not have to solve every diplomatic dispute before two Olympic champions can sit together and tell young athletes what it takes to become great.
That is not weakness.
That is confidence.
These ideas are exploratory. I am not announcing confirmed teams, dates or venues.
But I am saying very clearly that I believe they are worth pursuing.
My job in global partnerships is to find serious opportunities, open doors, bring credible people together and help move good ideas toward execution.
I want to open this door.