'For Putin’s regime, sports are all about politics': Ukraine urges against Russia’s return to global competitions

He made the statement on X.

“Those who argue that sports should be kept out of politics must also support keeping Russia out of international sports. Because for Putin's regime, sports are all about politics,” he wrote.

The minister also noted that sports have been one of Moscow’s key tools for decades, used to promote its ideology and whitewash Russia’s war crimes.

Sybiha emphasized that Russia’s actions contradict the principles of fair play and international sports: “…ranging from widespread doping to launching aggressive wars during the Olympic truce, killing 565 Ukrainian athletes, and destroying over 700 objects of Ukrainian sports infrastructure.”

• On March 21, the new President of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, announced her intention to begin talks on Russia’s return to international competitions. She also said she is against banning countries from participating in the Olympic Games due to conflicts.
• On March 27, it became known that UEFA is developing steps to reinstate the Russian national team and clubs in official international competitions.