Visit of the Canadian to Saint Petersburg: “It is odious and very reprehensible”

In the global socio-political context and in the face of the bitter war raging in Ukraine, is it a good idea for the leaders of a prestigious Western hockey club to go to Saint Petersburg to discuss… hockey with their hope Ivan Demidov?

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“It’s odious and very reprehensible,” says the politics professor and columnist at Journal Loïc Tassé, surprised by this visit from the general manager of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, and his special advisor, Vincent Lecavalier.

“It’s a very bad idea, because they send the message that they are legitimizing Vladimir Putin’s regime. Indirectly, Canada is at war with Russia,” he recalls, particularly regarding the country’s position and the financial aid granted to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of February 24, 2022.

The management of Sainte-Flanelle thought more about its “small interests” rather than major global issues, believes Mr. Tassé.

In another world

“It seems like they are detached from society. However, sport is part of society, it is not extracted from it,” adds Mr. Tassé, taking the example of the International Soccer Federation (FIFA) which decided to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a totalitarian state.

“The behavior of the world’s great sports leaders is highly reprehensible,” adds the man who directs courses at the Department of Political Science at the University of Montreal.

In his opinion, it is obvious that the Putin regime will use this visit by the Canadian to Russia for disinformation and propaganda purposes. Moreover, information and photos of their visit to the SKA Arena are already circulating extensively on the web.

Thaw sign

For Professor Jean Lévesque, of the Department of History at UQAM, it is also a sign of the possible “warming” of international relations, particularly since the election of Donald Trump.

“That the leaders of the CH meet those of the SKA in person means that there has been a dialogue and a sign that things have perhaps changed. Voices in Europe are being raised to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

“We see signs of thaw and opening, because we must admit that since the start of the war, sporting relations involving Russia have been very bad,” adds the man who is also director of the Eurasia Observatory, thinking that the CH made this trip for its interests. The sports policy of the organizations has been very firm compared to Russia.

How to get to Russia?

Obviously, Canada is asking its citizens to avoid all travel to Russia. From Montreal, depending on one of the many entry visas, it is possible to go there by plane while transiting through another country. Many neighboring countries have also decided to close their land borders. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Etihad offer a connection to Saint Petersburg airport.

Once there, you have to complete all the paperwork, including the migration card and registration. But if there is a problem or a problem during the trip, Global Affairs Canada cannot collaborate effectively or help people leave the country. Canadian authorities warn to remain vigilant in public places, particularly because of the risk of terrorist attacks or violent crime.

According to Professor Lévesque, everything suggests that the members of the CH organization received a special invitation to visit Ivan Demidov.

Hughes and Lecavalier are joined by co-director of recruiting, Nick Bobrov, a St. Petersburg native. Bobrov’s father also works for the SKA.