Vladimir Putin: Good evening.
Question: Mr President, if not a secret, how do you like the final, how is the game? For whom sick? And in General, How do you like the whole football holiday? Probably, personally failed to see what is happening on the streets of Russia? Probably was not at the now famous Nikolskaya street? Maybe the Kremlin has heard what is happening in red square?
Vladimir Putin: Yes, of course, I saw something from the Kremlin's Windows, I will not hide it, but, of course, I could not get close, I did not have the opportunity to get acquainted with all the events. Although, of course, aware of everything that happened. In this regard, I would like to say this.
First of all, I mentioned it somewhere yesterday, but today I would like to say in conclusion, of course, we can be proud of the way we organized this tournament. We have done this, and I have said this many times, for our fans, for our sports fans, Russian fans, and for all sports fans around the world. And we did. It turned out in all aspects of this Grand event.
Today's match was great. I think you'll agree with me. 4: 2 in the final-I don't remember something like that, and very few people can remember. I am sure that all sports and football fans around the world were shaking their hands throughout the match. Both teams were great, played open football, attacking. And I'm sure everyone liked it. Me, too.
I have already congratulated the President of France, Mr Macron, and my Croatian colleague. She was very worried, in my opinion, even cried in connection with the events. Nevertheless, everyone is happy, happy. And for the Croatian team, which shows, in my opinion, very good football, very good quality of the game, it is also a great achievement – the second place in the world championship. We congratulate them all.
Question: and you were rooting for who?
Vladimir Putin: I was just admiring this football performance.
Question: Mr President, how can you assess the performance of the Russian national team? After all, the team achieved this result for the first time.
Vladimir Putin: What I would like to say about this. I think that millions of people, no matter what they say, did not expect such a result from our team. We can be proud of the fact that we have such a great coach, and the Russian coach, and we can be proud of our team.
Of course, sport is not an art where people simply admire the events. In sports, you need results. And they had a decent result. But the most important thing is that we have understood that we have football, that we have our own team, that we have our own school and that we can count on higher ranks in this table of ranks, and the corresponding places in the international Championships. Our team showed it.
What I especially liked is that the guys showed the character and quality of the game. They fought to the end. I think this is the most important thing. That is why we should be grateful to them and support them, of course. And the result in itself-of course, long ago there was no such result. I think that we should congratulate them and set them up for future victories.
Question: Will you meet them?
Vladimir Putin: Yes, we will meet, we have already planned such meetings. First, we'll meet the coach, the captain. They will participate in the Council on sports in Kaliningrad. And then we will definitely meet with the team.
Question: Mr President, you often play hockey. After the championship you have no desire to play football? You had little experience with Infantino both in the Kremlin and in red square.
Vladimir Putin: I Think each of us once played football and kicked a ball. But that's not enough. Why else do you like football so much? First, when beautiful teams play, they do it at a high level, it is always interesting to watch. But besides that, everyone seems that each of us can do it. It seems to hit the ball easily. But a real game of football is, of course, a special art. I'll work on hockey for a while, I'll learn hockey. I have already learned to stay on skates a little, I will continue to move in this direction.
Question: Tell me, what do you think, 4:2 – the score of the game?
Vladimir Putin: Yes. We saw one funny goal. But in General, the Croatian open football team also played, as I said, and took risks. Well, somewhere I missed something, it happens. But in principle, the French showed a high class, of course.
Question: do you feel yourself a winner today?
Vladimir Putin: you know, we have said many times that the main task of Russia is to prepare the tournament well. And we did it, we did it, everyone is celebrating.
You know what I'd really like to say? We often scold our fans. And sometimes, fans are emotional people, but as it turned out, they are not just emotional, they are still very responsible people. And I, frankly, was surprised, I am very grateful to them. I want to thank them separately for the attitude that they have breathed into this event. This was largely due to our fans.
We are grateful to the coaches, to all the specialists, to our team once again, which inspired all the fans to perceive football as a holiday. And here it was, the organization. After all, hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers were involved in all cities. I want to say words of gratitude to them too, because they met our guests, accompanied them, and it was always with a smile on his face, it was always very benevolent. Everyone celebrates it.
I would not like to speak and remember what was said on the eve of the championship. Let's turn this page, let's talk and think about the good. Thanks to the efforts of thousands of people, we have such a wonderful holiday.
But, of course, we cannot but say a word of gratitude to our guests – foreign tourists, foreign fans. Note that, as we were Bougival: the British are coming, the bullies are, then someone else. But everyone behaved just fine, showed the best qualities of sports and football fans, showed that sport and football can not divide, not lead to fights and fights, but to unite people on the basis of common principles and common values, and such cultural and humanistic.
Many people got acquainted with our culture, with our cities, with our people met with open. And millions of people, not thousands, but millions simply changed their opinion about our country. And this is a result, this is also a great result.
In this regard – I spoke with my foreign colleagues about this when I congratulated both Croats and the French – I think we will do this: for foreign fans who have currently issued fan passports, we will make visa-free entry into the Russian Federation until the end of this year-multiple and, I repeat, visa-free regime. I hope that they will take advantage of this, many of them, at least, and will come to our Russia more than once with friends and with members of their families.
Thanks. Good day.