Nine EU countries supported sanctions against sports federations displaying Russian symbols

Nine EU countries have supported the European Commission’s proposal to halt funding for sports federations that allow the use of Russian symbols at international competitions.

Ukraine, together with its partners, is working to tighten restrictions on Russian athletes and prevent the use of Russian symbols at international competitions. In particular, Kyiv is engaged in dialogue with the European Commission and the governments of partner countries.

Bidnyi said he participated in an online meeting with sports ministers from the Baltic and Northern European countries, hosted by Estonian Minister of Culture Heidi Purga. The event took place as part of a series of meetings between the ministers of culture of the NB8 countries and Ukraine in Tallinn.

“It is essential to me that governments, specifically, be involved in this effort. Sports organizations are autonomous, but governments have real tools of influence—visa policies and sanctions—to prevent Russia from circumventing restrictions,” the minister noted.

According to Bidny, the partners support the proposal that Ukraine is developing jointly with the European Commission. It involves halting EU funding for sports organizations that allow Russian flags at competitions in EU countries.

Estonia and eight other EU countries have already approached the European Commission on this issue, he said.

Bidnyi also noted that meetings of the Council of Europe and EU sports ministers will take place in November. The Ukrainian side plans to raise the issue of restrictions on Russia at these meetings at the highest political level.

Russia’s return to international sports cannot be a tool that weakens other sanctions imposed by Ukraine and its partners against Russia, the minister emphasized.

He thanked Estonia for organizing the meeting and partner countries for their support of Ukraine and their willingness to work together on further decisions.

Source: Matviy Bidny, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

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