Anatoly Karpov
Photo: Ivan MAKEEV
It so happened that in almost every annual address of the president to the Federal Assembly, I found myself next to the legendary chess player, and now a deputy of the State Duma, Anatoly Karpov. This time we also met at Gostiny Dvor, where the head of state spoke and, of course, I could not help but ask about the impression of Vladimir Putin’s speech.
– The situation is not easy – noted Anatoly Karpov – The position of the country on the international stage is changing. Now the question is blank: to be Russia or not to be. And everyone should understand this.
We need to trust ourselves, and I heard it.
– If we use Brzezinski’s expression that the world is a big chessboard, what is Russia’s position now?
– On the chessboard? Well, it’s so hard to assess. But there are obvious things: no matter what kind of negotiations with the West are taking place now, there is no confidence in our opponents. And this is very serious.
Of course, we bypass Ukraine. And, probably, the policy towards our neighbors was not fully thought out.
I know Ukraine well. I have chess schools and friends there. With Odessa in friendship since 1961. Imagine, more than 60 years! In general, we did not have a confrontation before the collapse of the USSR, and then we bypassed it.
– Will we restore the old friendly relations with the Ukrainians?
– I think so. But Ukraine is experiencing a lot of pressure from the other side. And of course it hurts that the closest neighbors were in the trenches against each other. Other than the Civil War, I don’t know those times. And yet the mind must turn on at some point.
The president’s speech today showed that the situation is being thought about, it is not left without attention, and that is very important.
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