Almost all athletes from Russia are banned from participating in international competitions, but some federations want the return of russians under a neutral flag. The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadym Huttsait announced this on the air of the national telethon.

"We will continue to increase pressure to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing on international sports grounds. In a recent appeal to the All-Ukrainian Federation of Olympic and Non-Olympic Sports, I stressed the need for everyone at their level to exert every effort to prevent the performance of russian and belarusian athletes at international competitions," said Vadym Huttsait.

The Minister said that in the framework of the EU Sports Forum he had met with sports ministers of other countries, including the Minister of Sports of France, presidents of national Olympic sports committees of Europe, presidents of international federations. There, he reiterated that Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot participate in international competitions under either a national or neutral flag. Vadym Huttsait thanked European partners who support this position and are in solidarity with Ukraine.

"More than 40 countries have hosted our athletes and coaches. They are provided with comprehensive assistance, provided with the most modern training facilities. The first months of the war training of our athletes was almost free. This is an unprecedented help of the international sports community to our athletes in such a difficult time," stressed the Minister of Youth and Sports.