The newcomer of the first-league Poltava, midfielder Sergei Karetnik, dotted the “i” regarding his future, which, among other things, included Russian citizenship.
Sergei Karetnik (left)— I was ready for criticism. But I know my position. I love Ukraine, I am Ukrainian and I have nothing to hide. Yes, I played in Russia. But now I am here, in my native country, in my homeland, which I am very happy about. Now I will always be here!
- Do you regret that you played in Russia and took citizenship at a young age?
— Yes, I'm sorry! But I will say that I know that there is a small percentage of adequate people who understand everything, despite the titanic efforts of the local propaganda machine. Some of them are still in contact with me. They understand that a real war is going on between Russia and Ukraine, they keep their finger on the pulse of events. They support me and our country. But they are there and cannot influence the situation. Many are simply afraid to protest.
- Are there many of your former football colleagues from Russia who still keep in touch with you after a full-scale invasion?
- In general, this circle has narrowed significantly, there are only a few people left who write to me every week.
- February 24 divided your life into "before" and "after". What were your thoughts after you learned about the full-scale war?
- I could not believe it. At that moment I was already in Ukraine. But when I saw everything that was happening, I had no words. Only malice and hatred for the enemy!
— What did you do when you found out about the war?
“First, I called my relatives. Mom, dad, sister. There was only panic.
- When did you realize that it was time to return to Ukraine?
— For the last few years, I wanted to return to Ukraine. I went to Poland, but I could not continue my career there. And then I had a beloved girl in Russia. And this was the factor that did not allow me to leave there.
— Is she Russian?
— Yes, from Krasnodar. But we no longer communicate with her.
- She did not accept your return to Ukraine?
- She is a smart girl and understands what is happening. Long before the full-scale invasion, she came to Ukraine with me. I was in Lubny and Poltava. She likes Ukraine. She admired the Ukrainians, saying that they are much kinder, more positive than the Russians, that we know how to help each other.
— What else is the difference between Ukrainians and Russians?
— There is a difference in everything. Ukrainians are truly a European nation. That is why Russia never became my home. I didn't like it there. At the first opportunity, I always got on the train and visited my parents in Ukraine.
— What was your way home?
— I arrived home before the full-scale invasion.
- How then did it happen that you ended up with a contract with the Dynamo-Vladivostok club?
- In winter, I was looking for a club. The agent - my friend - offered to sign a contract with this club. A few days before the transfer window closed, I agreed out of desperation. But I didn't spend a single day in this club. Although on February 23 they released information about the signing of a contract until the summer of 2022. To be honest, I didn’t even think that they would register this contract. And in general at that time I didn’t think about football.
— Did you receive money from Russia during the period from February to June?
- No, not a penny.
- You wrote an application for withdrawal from Russian citizenship. What is the fate of your Russian passport?
- Yes, after the start of a full-scale war, I wrote a statement, and I simply destroyed my passport! By the way, they called me to the police in Lubny. I was checked. They studied my phone, all the correspondence in it. But I had nothing to hide. I guess I'm not the only one who went through this.
— Are you helping the army now?
- Of course, I help, like any normal citizen of Ukraine. After all, as I already wrote on the page on Instagram, thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine we can live here, in Poltava or other regions of Ukraine and play football.
In general, my family (dad, mom, sister) never stood aside. We donated to various charitable foundations, joined the collection for the people's bayraktar and helped migrants from the temporarily occupied territories with things. Only by helping the army and volunteers in every possible way, Ukraine will be able to win this war!
— Why did you take Russian citizenship?
- You see, when I received it, it was necessary for football. I was only 17 years old then, I did not understand many things. The issue of Russian citizenship was no longer my decision, but the people involved in my promotion. I have never written a renunciation of Ukrainian citizenship. I am Ukrainian and will remain so.
- How did you perceive the events in 2014, which already then demonstrated Russian aggression?
“Of course, it’s a conquest. I understood that it was very bad. And I found this while in Metallurg Donetsk.
— Did you have any idea to return to Ukraine back then?
- Were. But life turned out differently. We all pay for our mistakes.
— How, in your opinion, has Ukrainian football changed lately?
- Against the backdrop of the war, Ukrainian football has been enriched with youth. Many promising players got a chance to prove themselves, which was not, for example, in my youth. Now these players are pushing the path in Europe. That same Ukrainian team is very good, and its future will also be great.
- You were the captain of the youth team of Dynamo Kyiv, one of the most talented players born in 1995. What went next didn't it?
- I think this is life. And at some point I made the wrong choice.
- In the future, the road to Russia is closed to you?
— Yes, I understand that, but I don’t need to go there. Even right in my mind, this country is closed to me forever.
