World Cup opener guest list set to be largely ex-Soviet affair
(The Guardian Russia)

Kremlin´s list of ceremony invitees includes central Asian autocrats plus Saudi prince Mohammed bin SalmanVladimir Putin´s strained ties with leaders across the western world means the audience of presidents and prime ministers for the World Cup opener looks set to be a heavily former Soviet affair.The Kremlin has released a list of those who will join Putin for Thursday´s opening ceremonies and it features a large helping of central Asian autocrats and the heads of the breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia, along with a smattering of foreign leaders from Africa and South America. Related: Robbie Williams `selling soul to dictator Putin` in World Cup gig Continue reading...