Kirill Dmitriev, acting as a special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, commented on the recent Olympic hockey final where the USA claimed victory over Canada in overtime. His remarks included a political twist, referring to Canada as the '52nd state' of the US. Dmitriev's comments appeared to be steeped in political rhetoric, extending beyond sports commentary, as he linked this phrase to historical context surrounding the concept of the United States potentially expanding its territorial claims.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dmitriev asserted that the win against Canada is emblematic of the USA's supposed dominance, suggesting that such encounters symbolize America's influence over its northern neighbor. His statement was further backed by imagery from the White House, showcasing the American bald eagle attacking a Canadian goose. This portrayal feeds into an ongoing narrative that portrays Canada as under threat from US ambitions.

The choice of the term '52nd state' sparked confusion in the comments, prompting Dmitriev to clarify why he suggested Canada could become a state despite the US officially having only 50. He elaborated that while he believes Greenland might become the US's 51st state, Canada follows closely after, reflecting a controversial and provocative stance on international relations, weaving sports into the larger geopolitical discourse.