WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. The United States and Russia do not have to reach agreement on every political issue before an American child can kick a ball around with a Russian child, US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli said in an interview with TASS.

"Why shouldn’t the United States and Russia create more opportunities for their athletes and young people to meet? We do not have to agree on every political question before an American child can kick a football with a Russian child," said the diplomat, who serves in both the White House and the US State Department.

According to him, "we do not have to solve every diplomatic dispute before two Olympic champions can sit together and tell young athletes what it takes to become great."

"That is not weakness. That is confidence. These ideas are exploratory. I am not announcing confirmed teams, dates or venues. But I am saying very clearly that I believe they are worth pursuing. My job in global partnerships is to find serious opportunities, open doors, bring credible people together and help move good ideas toward execution. I want to open this door," Trump’s envoy added.

The full text of the interview is available on the TASS website: https://tass.com/world/2202537.