Alexander Volkov spoke about Victory Day (May 9), expressing that while he celebrates the victory and is grateful to veterans, he views the day more with sorrow than joy due to the tragic circumstances that necessitated the war. He told his children that such situations should never be allowed in the world, emphasizing a peaceful mindset of "if only there were no war," values he inherited from the Soviet Union era. When asked to describe Moscow in three words five years after calling it "dirt, traffic, construction," Volkov changed his assessment dramatically. After visiting last summer, he praised the city's cleanliness and told his New Jersey teammates that Moscow is the best city in the world for living, beauty, and overall quality. He acknowledged that while weather-related slush remains, the city has improved significantly.
