Karjakin mocks war victims
Chess grandmaster defends Putin’s invasion
02/27/2022, 8:05 p.m
Russia’s war of aggression has also led to countless expressions of solidarity with Ukraine in the sports world. One athlete who defended President Vladimir Putin’s attack and at the same time mocked the victims is Russian chess grandmaster Sergei Karjakin.
The chess grandmaster Sergej Karjakin has caused great irritation with his statements about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Karjakin, 2016 World Cup challenger to superstar Magnus Carlsen, described the Ukrainians as the trigger of the war in several Twitter posts and also mocked the numerous victims.
Karjakin, a long-time friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, first made his position on the war in Ukraine clear in a tweet on February 24. There he shared a Telegram post that blamed Ukraine alone for the war and described Russia as a liberator.
“We are not as stupid as Ukraine”
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In a since-deleted tweet, he then recounted a conversation he had with a taxi driver in Dubai, who allegedly told him, “Russia is good. In a few years we’ll be close friends. We’re not stupid like Ukraine.” Finally, on Friday, Karjakin posted pictures of what appeared to be militant Ukrainian soldiers posing with a photo of Adolf Hitler. He wrote: “Are you sure you want to support the Ukrainian army?”
The Russian then followed up again and was completely in line with Putin. He also mocked the countless victims that the war had already claimed: “If you believe that facts are propaganda, then that’s your business. I wish you all the best. I’m going to the beach now.” He then added a wink smiley to his post.
A statement by Magnus Carlsen, who told TV channel TV2 that he was happy to live in a country where there is peace, Karjakin commented: “How happy I am to live in Russia! ” On Sunday, the 32-year-old posted anti-American posts, and other tweets by the Russian were blocked in Germany because of legally objectionable content.
“People are dying and he’s joking”
The Norwegian chess professional and Russia expert Atle Grønn assumes that Karjakin’s statements will have serious consequences. “That doesn’t come as a surprise. He’s been an important person for Putin’s regime for a long time,” he told the online newspaper Nettavisen. Karjakin ruined his career with his statements, Grønn explained: “He crossed many borders and will probably never be invited to the big tournaments abroad again.”
Chess superstar Hikaru Nakamura commented on Karjakin’s comments: “People are dying and he’s joking about the situation. Innocent people are dying and he’s joking. It’s pathetic, there’s no other word for it.” Like Grønn, the American does not expect to see the Russian again in future tournaments.