Russia 2018 Not Expecting ‘any major issues’ from Ukraine Conflict

Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup will not be affected by the conflict in Ukraine, according to the country’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko.

The local organising committee chairman and a FIFA board member, said he did not foresee “any major issues.”

“It’s a different subject and it will not influence preparations for the World Cup at all,” Mutko told a briefing designed to explain Russia’s $US20 billion project to host the next World Cup.

Russian president Vladimir Putin is scheduled to attend Sunday’s (Monday AEST) World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, and take part in a handover ceremony between host nations with Brazil president Dilma Rousseff.

Mutko said Putin would express Russia’s “immense gratitude” to Brazil for a successful tournament.

Brazil and Russia, which hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February, have defied widespread doubt about their ability to host safe and well organised events.

“Sometimes you have to suffer some criticism,” Mutko said through a translator. “Criticism is important. It is stimulating, it’s constructive.”

Mutko also said he expects Russia to be cleared of any doubt when a FIFA investigation of the 2018 and 2022 bid campaigns is resolved, likely in September.