The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiga, expressed gratitude to the Italian government for its categorical stance against allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan under their national flags.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Position of Ukraine and Italy on the Participation of Athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus
Sybiga thanked the Italian Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, noting his “voice of reason, truth, and common sense” regarding the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags at the Games. He emphasized that the restrictions on athletes from these countries were implemented in response to aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a gross violation of international law.
“Since then, nothing has changed. Aggression, atrocities, and terror continue. What grounds are there for easing the restrictions? There are none,” the minister asked.
The minister reminded that Ukraine calls on the governments of other countries to refrain from participating in the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games if the decision to allow the symbols of Russia and Belarus is not revoked. He also thanked Italy for supporting shared principles, a clear moral stance, and excellent organization of the Olympic Games.
Italy’s Reaction and the IPC’s Decision
The Italian Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, confirmed his disagreement with the IPC’s decision regarding the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus under their national flags. In a joint statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi called on the IPC to reconsider its decision.
It is worth recalling that on February 17, the International Paralympic Committee announced that six Russian and four Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete in the Paralympics in Milan under their national flags. According to the committee, these athletes will receive the same treatment as representatives of other countries.
The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Matviy Bidny, previously stated that the Ukrainian government would boycott the Paralympic Games in Italy if athletes from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete under their symbols.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus have only been allowed to compete at the Olympic Games in the status of “neutral” athletes. The 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milan will take place from March 6 to 15.