Putin: World Cup ends stereotypes about Russia.
“People have seen that Russia is a hospitable and friendly country for those who come here,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin; “I am sure that the vast majority of people who came will leave with the best feelings and memories of our country and will return many times.”
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that hosting the World Cup helped to break down stereotypes about the country.
Russia's selection as host of the World Cup was met with resistance from some in the West, who suggested that the tournament might not be safe and could benefit Putin, who has been accused by the United States of carrying out "malign activities" around the world.
But the competition has proceeded without major security incidents so far. Fears of racism and fan violence have not materialized, and most foreign fans describe a positive experience in Russian cities.
In a meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and former football stars at the Kremlin, Putin said that the tournament and its coverage on social media “helped to break down many stereotypes about Russia.”
“People have seen that Russia is a hospitable and friendly country for those who come here,” Putin said. “I am sure that the vast majority of people who came will leave with the best feelings and memories of our country and will return many times.”
Increasingly isolated on the global stage, Putin used the World Cup to send a defiant message to his opponents: that Russia is progressing despite Western efforts to contain it.
On Thursday, the Kremlin downplayed a renewed demand from the United Kingdom to provide details about the Novichok nerve agent attack against a former double agent and his daughter, after two more British citizens were attacked with the same poison. Moscow denies involvement in both attacks.
The pedestrian streets of the Russian capital are packed with foreign and Russian fans, celebrating the world's most prestigious football tournament until the early hours of the morning.
"I heard that the people, the police officers in Red Square, are smiling," Infantino told Putin, laughing.
“When asked for information, they are very friendly. That’s great. That’s exactly what Russia is. This is the new image we have of Russia.”
The unexpected success of the Russian national team in the World Cup also increased the appeal of the event in the country.
After entering the competition as the lowest-ranked team in the FIFA rankings among those competing in the World Cup, Russia reached the knockout stage for the first time in the post-Soviet era and advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Spain.
The Russians will face Croatia in the quarterfinals in Sochi on Saturday.