Putin on Ukraine invasion: “Political Use of Valieva and Punishment for Criticizing Russian Coach”

Following the Beijing Olympics, Russia is doing whatever it wants in the international community.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared war on Ukraine, and the war has begun. 200,000 strong Russian troops have taken over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the capital Kiev has been attacked.

The United States, Europe, and other countries immediately imposed economic sanctions. However, although President Putin’s stubbornness has not changed, it is said that the first ceasefire negotiations since the start of the war will be held on the afternoon of the 28th (Japan time) )).

Putin’s “modus operandi” is a classic one: fabrication and self-justification. He has unilaterally recognized the independence of pro-Russian regions in eastern Ukraine, and then claimed that these regions are under attack by Ukrainian forces. The KGB, which supports Vladimir Putin, has also been involved in the war.

For the KGB (State Security Committee), which supports Putin, this kind of conspiracy is easy to pull off. Putin has said that he will not occupy Ukraine’s territory, but he will probably try to annex it by establishing a provisional government under his control ..

At the Beijing Olympics, which have just concluded, the Russian women’s figure skater Kamila Valieva was found to have a doping problem, causing a huge uproar. The medal-awarding ceremony for the figure team was postponed, but the final decision for Valieva has not yet been decided.

However, upon her return to Japan, Valieva and the rest of the women’s team were immediately congratulated with “gold medals” at an award ceremony organized by the Russian Figure Skating Federation. 

Alexander Kogan, Secretary General of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, explained the reason for the award: “In Beijing, there was no solemn award ceremony for the team athletes. I think all the skaters who participated in Beijing deserve the highest praise. They performed. very well.

The women’s team, including Valieva, is scheduled to meet with President Putin on March 4. This is in the middle of a war.

The Russian media outlet RBC reported that the Russian team had already entered quarantine at the Novogorsk base. At the same time, the deputy speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament, Viacheslav Fetisov, said

“President Putin has endorsed Valieva”

In the interview, he said, “President Putin is expected to encourage Valieva, who was in the midst of doping issue.”

In the midst of war, this will be an opportunity for President Putin to show that he will protect his own people. At the same time, there is a strong possibility that he will turn doping into another issue. I think he will criticize the Western countries as well.

There is also likely to be a “control of speech” on the part of coach Eteri Tutberidze, who has caused controversy with his harsh coaching of Valieva.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen such a thing.

The Russian media, “Sport,” reported that, “In response to Tutberidze’s critical tweets, Russia’s lower house of parliament has proposed jail time for insulting an athlete” over Tutoberidze’s critical tweet.

 

According to the report, Oleg Nilov, a member of Russia’s lower house of parliament, was furious with Sergei Smirnov, editor-in-chief of Media Zona, for his “criticism” of Tutberidze. At a conference on online content, he said:

“It is the work of this foreign agent that has spread the criticism. Smirnov is a foreign agent, a saboteur, and a despicable person who deserves a criminal case. He should be held accountable and sentenced to prison.

 

This is too much, but Ms. Tutberidze  is a central figure of the Russian figure skating. Disrespecting her is the same as disrespecting one’s country.

It was reported that more than 4,000 people have already been detained in protests against the start of war in Ukraine. It has become clear once again that in Russia, those who stand up to the regime are thoroughly cracked down on.

Russia is tainting the Olympics and deviating from the rules of the international community. Where will they end up?