The Kremlin said Friday it was a pity Russia's second city Saint Petersburg was stripped of the right to hold the UEFA Champions League final after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine. "It is a shame that such a decision was made," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Saint Petersburg could have provided the best possible conditions for holding this football event." Earlier on Friday, UEFA announced that Paris will host this season's Champions League final. The showpiece occasion of the European club season will be played at the Stade de France on Saturday, May 28, European football's governing body said after holding an emergency meeting in response to the crisis.