MEP Harms calls for boycott of 2018 World Cup in Russia

"President Putin is not a good host for the World Cup, while the war in Syria and Ukraine continues. He is not a friendly host as long as he supports right-wing extremist and anti-democratic parties in the EU, and tries to meddle into elections," she said.

Harms recalled that Vladimir Putin is responsible for the occupation and war in Ukraine and that he supports brutal dictator Assad, while the Russian army is responsible for horrendous war crimes in Syria.

"Democratic governments should not contribute to Putin's self-staging as the strong man, whom the great and powerful of the world honor," the politician said. 

She called on everyone not to forget that three days after the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Russian army occupied Crimea. 

"This shows how serious he was four years ago about the Olympic idea of mutual understanding between nations," Harms said.

Her appeal was supported by 60 members of the European Parliament from 16 member states and five different political groups.

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