WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. Russia and the United States could establish a joint working channel for cooperation in sports, US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli said in an interview with TASS.

"The first steps should be practical: establish a joint sports working channel, develop the proposed hockey series, explore a FIFA international friendly between our national football teams, restore youth and coaching exchanges, support university competitions, invite retired champions to serve as goodwill ambassadors and create clear pathways for eligible athletes to return under transparent rules," the diplomat within both the White House and the US State Department suggested.

According to him, "[US] President [Donald] Trump believes in peace through strength and in agreements that produce visible results." "Sport offers exactly that kind of opportunity. We do not need to agree on everything before athletes and fans are allowed to meet. Perhaps sooner rather than later, the first whistle on a football pitch can begin a new conversation. Sometimes the handshake after the match is what makes the next diplomatic step possible," the US leader’s special envoy emphasized.

The full text of the interview is available on the TASS website: https://tass.com/world/2202537.