Putin invited Moldovan President Dodon to the opening ceremony of FIFA 2018 World Cup
Moldovan President Igor Dodon will take part in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Dodon on Tuesday in an interview with the NTV-Moldova television channel.
"Next week I will be at the World Cup, as I promised Putin in response to his invitation. There will be an opportunity to talk with many leaders of state, including Vladimir Vladimirovich. During the first match I will be rooting for Russia and, overall, I have a few favorites," Dodon said.
Earlier, TASS quoted diplomatic sources in Moscow as saying that the Moldovan president expressed his intention to take part in the ceremonies of the grand opening and closing of the World Cup, which will be held in Russia. The World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15 in 11 Russian cities.
Speaking on NTV-Moldova, the head of Moldova also added that he plans to visit Russia in September to hold meetings with representatives of the diaspora.
"The meeting with the Moldovan diaspora in Russia will take place in September. The exact date has not been approved yet but it will be two days: one in Moscow and the other in St. Petersburg," he said.
At the end of April, Dodon met with leaders of the Moldovan diaspora from Russian regions in St. Petersburg where he presented initiatives developed by the Presidential Administration aimed at supporting and attracting Moldovan citizens abroad to participate in various events.