By MAX WINTERS and EMILY GOODIN, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT

Published: 18:16 GMT, 18 March 2025 | Updated: 19:12 GMT, 18 March 2025

Donald Trump has reportedly backed Vladimir Putin‘s proposal to host hockey games between the USA and Russia on American soil.

The two leaders held a lengthy phone discussion on Tuesday, during which Putin agreed to a proposal by Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days.

The Kremlin announced they also discussed the possibility of the two nations competing in hockey games in the US, amid Russia’s ongoing ban from international competition. 

It was announced last month that Russia and Belarus are to remain frozen out of International Ice Hockey Federation competitions through the 2025-26 season.

The IIHF decision covers all world championships and effectively next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Italy, although the International Olympic Committee has the final say.

‘It is not yet safe to reintegrate the Russian and Belarusian national and club teams,’ the IIHF said, because ‘the current security conditions do not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments guaranteeing the safety of all.’

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Donald Trump has backed Vladimir Putin’s plan to hold US vs Russia hockey games in America

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Russia and Belarus are still frozen out of International Ice Hockey Federation competitions

The IIHF council said it will next assess the issue in May 2026.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled for February 6–22 in Milan and Cortina.

Russia, in previous guises as the Soviet Union and Unified Team, has won the Olympic gold nine times.

Russia won the silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, just weeks before the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia and Belarus have been banned from international ice hockey tournaments since then.

Trump and Putin took the first steps toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine as they agreed to an ‘energy and infrastructure ceasefire.’ 

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