In a surprising twist during a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to put their diplomatic ties on ice, literally. According to the Kremlin, these two world leaders discussed staging a hockey series featuring players from the NHL and KHL. Yes, you read that right, hockey, not sanctions or world crises!

Imagine Trump lacing up his skates and hitting the rink. While Putin’s affinity for the sport is pretty well-known (he attends games like a hockey-loving influencer), Trump seems to be rolling with the same punch, although he probably won’t be throwing any slaps or dangles. It’s unclear how far this puck will slide, considering the White House’s seemingly absent mention of hockey during the call’s recap, but let’s just say the NHL got wind of this delightful conversation a bit too late.

The NHL issued a statement saying, “We were not involved in those discussions,” which sounds suspiciously like they just realized they’re not in on the game. But let’s not forget that hockey isn’t all fun and games, this conversation emerged during a talk also meant to cover Ukraine. Who knew they had trading cards for topics like that?

Trump recently dialed into the U.S. women’s hockey team at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the U.S. faced a crushing overtime loss to Canada. Let’s just say the Canadian fans didn’t hold back with the booing, especially after Trump’s comments about making Canada the 51st state, perhaps they’d like to keep that under wraps for a bit longer.

The U.S. and Russia’s hockey rivalry has a storied past, dating back to the famous “Miracle on Ice” game in 1980 that was less about gold medals and more about America’s ‘we can do anything’ spirit. The current political climate means that Russia is not allowed in international competitions, following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Yet, the NHL has continued to welcome outstanding Russian talents, like Alex Ovechkin, who has his eye set on dethroning Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.

While some officials hope to see Russian players back on the world stage soon, the future of such events remains unsure. So, hockey fans, keep your eyes peeled, this isn’t just a game; it’s a geopolitical statement dressed up in skates! Who’s up for a showdown?

Maybe it’s time for a new Olympic sport: diplomacy hockey?