Yan Ereshchenko: “For me, Russia has always been a foreign country”
Ukrainian finisher Yan Ereshchenkoplaying for four Russian clubs, explained why he left Krasnoyarsk only on March 1.
“You know where I was – in Siberia. From there, 4 conquered kilometers to the border with Europe. I was in a car. Plus, I had to close the contract so as not to get banned and get problems with the subsequent transfer. I talked with the president of Yenisei about going to the match with the flag. He said he didn’t need to. For my safety, because people are different. Yes, and the club could be appointed. My family was there, and I couldn’t afford to do it on my own.
The most difficult thing was to listen to the Russian anthem. I don’t know if it hit the camera objects, but when the gymnast was heard, my head was lowered, and tears appeared in my eyes. I’m technically what happened in my country. In Kharkov, in Mariupol, where I have my whole family. There are many people in Russia who live on pennies, who have never been abroad, never need a car. They think that everything is done right. I cannot understand them. People, children are dying, so many houses are collapsing, but there are people who demonstrate this,” Ereshchenko said in an interview with Tribuna.
Ereshchenko played in Russia for Gazprom-Yugra (2015/16), Belogorye (2016 – 2018), capturing the CEV Cup, Ural Ufa (2019) and Enisey (2019 – 2021, 2021/22) . ).
“I was away from politics when all this mess began in the so-called DPR and LPR. I am equipped that there are fighters from Russia there, but mostly they are bandits who want to take something for themselves. This is not a full scale invasion and I can afford to play in Russia. I don’t support the fact that they help bandits. But what was then and what is now are completely different things. The whole world understands this.
The money that I earned in Russia, I went to my country, invested in Ukrainian companies in my share. I never thought about the fact that taxes went to the military. When I found out, I felt ashamed of it. Children sometimes ask me when we will go to Krasnoyarsk. I tell them that there is no time. There we have no way. It may appear in a generation or two, not earlier. You can’t forgive that. It’s simple and a wreck in everything horror, ”the volleyball player explained.
In 2015, Ereshchenko continued to change sports citizenship to Russia.
“I was offered this in Surgut. I took the Greek time to think and decided not to change citizenship. Because sport is sport, money is money, but I have never wanted and do not want to live in Russia. I want to live in my Ukraine. For me, this country has always been a stranger, and now it has become even more alien. Change of citizenship of experienced agents so that I would not be considered a legionnaire. Without the championship of Russia it would be possible, but it would be difficult to find a club and good conditions for yourself, your contract, your family. Unfortunately, this is so. This championship is in the top 3 of Europe. I think that our team has become like this when almost everyone left to play abroad, ”said Ereshchenko.
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Ukraine will play at the 2022 World Cup instead of Russia. The team had the highest world ranking among teams not previously qualified for the tournament.
“We deserve this place. Our head coach Ugis Krastiņš held a mini-tournament for several national teams, but we got a ticket directly. instead of Russia. Where it is accidental, somewhere – observations. Ukraine defeated them. We have a group of Serbia, Tunisia, Puerto Rico. We must leave the group, and then we will, ”Ereshchenko said.
The 32-year-old volleyball player completed the 2021/22 season at the Al Jazeera club from the UAE, and then moved to the Turkish Develi, which entered the elite division.
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