On February 23, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha met with Valerii Sushkevych, Chairman of the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine, to discuss the interaction of Ukrainian diplomacy with the Paralympic movement, in particular, joint counteraction to the whitewashing of Russian war crimes in international sports.

“The unsportsmanlike behavior of the International Paralympic Committee remains at the center of our work. The admission of Russians and Belarusians under national symbols is a shameful decision that serves to promote the aggressor states,” said Andrii Sybiha.

The Minister emphasized that diplomats are actively working to expand the circle of states that will officially boycott the opening ceremony, in particular those whose decision could trigger a “domino effect.”

“We already have confirmation from eight states, as well as from the EU. The list will grow. Some partners have already issued public statements, others have confirmed to us in the working order,” said Andrii Sybiha.

In this regard, the Foreign Minister and the head of the National Committee of Ukraine coordinated positions and further steps. Thus, a separate track is being worked on with Italy as the host country, where the ministers of foreign affairs and sports have already expressed their unequivocal positions, considering that this issue is a civilizational one.

Andrii Sybiha noted that work with partners continues in order to clarify the international legal risks of Russia’s attempts to legitimize its occupation. In particular, it is indicative that the National Paralympic Committee of Russia has publicly posted information about its “activities” in the occupied Crimea. Therefore, the demonstration of the Russian state symbols is a direct gift to propaganda and an indirect signal of recognition of the occupation. I believe that the host country Italy should use all available tools to prevent this disgrace from happening on its soil.

It is worth noting how, in the development of the shameful September decision of the IPC General Assembly, the Committee itself then actually “pulled” Russians and Belarusians to the start in Italy – despite the lack of time for full-fledged qualification. Russians and Belarusians received their 10 tickets in the form of so-called “wild cards”, usually granted in exceptional cases. “As a result, preferences for aggressors and redrawing of the limited quota. That is, fewer opportunities for others. We are directly telling our partners about this,” the minister emphasized.

“While the sounds of Russian weapons can be heard on Ukrainian soil, the anthems of Russia and Belarus have no place in the civilized world,” Andrii Sybiha stressed. He added that sport should unite around rules and dignity – and not become a Russian hybrid weapon.