Zelensky voiced clear dissatisfaction about the idea of Russia taking part in international sports through the lens of the International Olympic Committee’s leadership, after a recent phone discussion with IOC President Thomas Bach. The Ukrainian president underscored a strong stance against any scenario that would allow Russian athletes to compete in major events, including Asian competitions, arguing that such participation would send the wrong message to the global sports community and to Ukraine’s citizens. He framed the issue as not merely about athletics but about the integrity of sporting alliances and security concerns, insisting that Moscow’s involvement in high‑profile competitions should be carefully weighed in light of Russia’s actions on the world stage. (Ukrainian Presidency)
Ukraine’s leadership used the exchange with Bach to stress the need for a principled approach toward athletes with ties to Russia and Belarus, emphasizing that participation in international meets must not normalize or reward aggression. The conversation highlighted Kyiv’s position that allowing athletes from these states to compete could be perceived as granting legitimacy to a war conducted by those regimes. In public remarks following the call, Zelensky reiterated that Asia’s sports circuits should maintain clear boundaries and standards that reflect universal values, safety, and fairness for all competing nations, and he urged sports authorities to keep lines of accountability firm and transparent. (Ukrainian Presidency)
“Any notion that Russian representatives might reenter international competitions on equal footing with others should be viewed as an unacceptable message to the world,” Zelensky stated in a broader address. He argued that inviting or tolerating participation by athletes from the aggressor state would resemble allowing criminal behavior to be perceived as acceptable within a peaceful society, essentially compromising the sanctity of sport as a unifying force. He also described the idea as a form of “sports pleasure” that fails to acknowledge the ongoing conflict and its impact on victims, calling for the Olympic Movement to adhere strictly to its founding principles rather than compromise them for competitive convenience. (Ukrainian Presidency)
According to Zelensky, the principles guiding the Olympic family must remain uncompromising in the face of geopolitical pressure. He asserted that any plan or proposal that suggests collusion with a state that has instigated aggression cannot be reconciled with the core mission of the Olympic Charter. The Ukrainian position, presented during the call with Bach, reiterated that fairness, safety, and ethical conduct for all participants take precedence over any desire to broaden the field of competition. The emphasis was on safeguarding the integrity of international sport and ensuring that athletic arenas do not become arenas for political signal-making. (Ukrainian Presidency)