MTV: Teemu Pulkkinen spoke about his decisions - this is how he commented on staying in Russia

Teemu Pulkkinen, 33, signed a comprehensive contract for the next season with Kiekko-Vantaa. The club announced the contract last week.

Pulkkinen’s return to Finland made headlines. He was the only Finnish player who continued to play in the KHL after Russia invaded Ukraine. Pulkkinen last played in the KHL during the 2023-24 season.

In recent years, Pulkkinen has not commented on his decisions made regarding the media. Now he spoke about it at a press conference organized by Kiekko-Vantaa.

– I want to humbly apologize for the choices I have made in my career – regarding playing in the KHL. I, of course, take responsibility for them. I have continued playing there due to my own choice. That was no one else’s decision but solely mine. I take responsibility for that. I am sorry about it, Pulkkinen said according to MTV Urheilu.

MTV asked Pulkkinen why he decided to continue in Russia when the country invaded Ukraine.

– Money was the biggest motivator. There’s no denying that. Money was the reason I stayed there. I even made a new contract after I had rightfully received criticism in the media. At that point, I felt it was the same. Money was the biggest motivator, Pulkkinen answered directly.

Pulkkinen played the 2022-23 season with Traktor Chelyabinsk. After that, he made a contract with Kunlun Red Star for the 2023-24 season. Pulkkinen states that he received all the agreed money from Russia.

Pulkkinen was asked if he felt any conflict regarding what Russia was doing in Ukraine and the fact that he continued to play in Russia.

– Of course, it was a value choice and in hindsight, it’s easy to say that it was a really wrong choice. I practiced my profession and received good pay for it. It was my choice, Pulkkinen emphasized.

Pulkkinen shares that he has lived a different life for the past year and a half than before. He has been in therapy seeking help for his problems and states that his value system is now different than it was before.