The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine joined the collective statement of ministers and senior representatives for sport on Russia's war on Ukraine and international sport.

At the same time, the position of Ukraine regarding the partial change of the position of the International Olympic Committee of March, 28 2023 on the non-admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sports competitions remains unchanged.

We stress that it is not athletes’ nationality that determines their role, but the fact that they are sponsored/supported by their governments or businesses backing up the Kremlin regime, which continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, or even they are affiliated with the Russian military directly.

We deem it necessary to remind that, day by day, the Russian military keeps attacking Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including sports facilities and killing Ukrainians, including Ukrainian athletes. Millions of Ukrainian citizens including athletes and their families were forced to leave their homes in the face of Russia’s occupation. Many athletes from Ukraine are still prevented from participating in sport events because of Russia’s attack on their country.

There exists not a single reason to move away from the exclusion regime for Russian and Belarusian athletes set by the IOC more than a year ago, immediately after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine. We strongly believe that now is not the time to consider the opening up of a pathway for Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to the Olympic Games in any status.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, thanks to the heroic struggle of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with foreign partners – signatures of the collective statement, the NOC of Ukraine and other sports movement stakeholders, the Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine on Youth and Sports, diplomats, the Ukrainian diaspora, athletes and all supporters of our country will continue to work to prevent representatives of the Russian Federation and Belarus from participating in international sports competitions, including the Olympic Games, as long as the Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine continues.