HELSINKI: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin tried to lighten the mood at apost-summit news conference with US President Donald Trump on Monday bygiving him a World Cup football which was made in Pakistan.
Trump had congratulated Putin on Russia’s successful hosting of thecompetition, which came to a climax on Sunday a day before the Helsinkisummit.
Facing a barrage of questions about the war in Syrian and Russia’s allegedrole in Trump’s 2016 election victory, both men broke into brief smiles asthe Kremlin chief handed over the souvenir.
“Speaking about having the ball in our court in Syria,” Putin said, in anawkward change of subject. “President Trump has just mentioned that we’vesuccessfully concluded the football World Cup.
“Speaking of football, actually, Mr President, I will give the ball to youand now the ball is in your court. All the more as the United States willhost the World Cup in 2026.”
Trump cheerfully returned the compliment, saying he hoped the United Stateswould host an equally successful competition, and promised to give the ballto his 12-year-old son Barron.
Pakistan remained the official football provider for FIFA World Cup.
The Adidas Telstar 18 which was the official match ball of the 2018 FIFAWorld Cup was produced in Sialkot.