Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has criticised the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to allow Russian national ice hockey teams to return to international competitions.
This was reported by the press service of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
“Russia has not stopped the war. It has not stopped killing Ukrainians. It has not stopped relentlessly attacking our cities. So what exactly has changed to justify the return of Russian national ice hockey teams to international competitions?” the foreign minister stressed.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, which in effect legitimises Russia’s participation in world championships under the auspices of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), is unacceptable. Russian national teams represent a state that is still waging a war of aggression. Their return now would mean granting Moscow the international legitimacy it so desperately seeks,” Sybiha said.
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The head of Ukrainian diplomacy urged the international sporting community and Ukraine’s partners to take a principled stance against Russia being allowed back into competitions.
The minister also appealed to governments not to allow Russian ice hockey players to enter their territory.
“This shameful decision must be reversed. I also urge the governments of countries that have not lost their moral compass not to allow Russian ice hockey players to enter their territory. Russia’s war must have consequences, including in international sport,” the foreign minister emphasised.
- On 30 October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld one of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation’s appeals and lifted the ban on Russian teams taking part in international competitions