Ukraine has stated it is going to name on different international locations to boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Video games if Russian and Belarusian flags are raised.
Supply: a press release by Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Overseas Minister, on X (Twitter)
Particulars: Andrii Sybiha stated it’s unacceptable for "the flags of aggressor states" to be raised whereas Russia's warfare in opposition to Ukraine continues.
Quote: "Permitting the flags of aggressor states to be raised on the Paralympic Video games whereas Russia's warfare in opposition to Ukraine rages on is flawed – morally and politically.
The choice to confess Russia and Belarus below nationwide symbols ignores a easy reality: these flags and anthems symbolize regimes that wage aggression, destroy cities, and weaponise sport for propaganda. They can’t be separated from the crimes dedicated below them."
Extra particulars: Sybiha stated fashionable Russia is utilizing Paralympic sport to glorify these preventing within the warfare in opposition to Ukraine. He warned that permitting Russian and Belarusian flags on the opening ceremony would ship out a harmful message by pushing accountability for crimes into the background.
Sybiha burdened sport ought to uphold the common human values that such felony regimes disregard, including that the Paralympics should not change into a stage for justifying Russia's actions.
Ukraine will subsequently be urging different international locations to boycott the Paralympics opening ceremony, Sybiha stated.
Quote: "I’ve instructed Ukraine's ambassadors to have interaction with officers of their host international locations and urge them to not attend the Opening Ceremony if this disgraceful resolution shouldn’t be reversed.
Ukraine will proceed to defend justice and dignity, in addition to to guard the integrity of worldwide sport from being exploited by aggressor states."
Background:
- Six Russian and 4 Belarusian athletes have been granted permission to compete below their nationwide flags on the 2026 Winter Paralympic Video games in Italy. This would be the first time the Russian flag has been raised on the Paralympics for the reason that 2014 Sochi Video games.
- Ukraine's Overseas Ministry has reacted robustly to the truth that a Russian citizen carried the placard for the Ukrainian workforce on the 2026 Olympics opening ceremony. The ministry has known as on the Worldwide Olympic Committee to conduct an inside investigation into the incident.
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