Ukraine minister condemns Motorsport’s decision to lift Russian ban

He said Russian attacks on Ukraine were continuing and questioned why international sports organisations were now seeking to soften their policies towards Russia.

“Russia continues full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Belarus can continue to provide military support to Russia. Ukrainian people are still being killed every day. And Russian attacks become more and more brutal,” he said.

Bidnyi also criticised the FIA’s decision for what he described as weakening the collective international pressure being applied to Russia.

“When any federation lifts the ban and makes steps towards the aggressor, the terrorist state, it’s always really, really sad,” he said.

“It’s a massive disappointment for everyone in Ukraine. And we think it undermines the collective pressure that the international community has been building against the aggressor.”

The minister pointed to sports organisations such as World Athletics, biathlon and athletics as examples of bodies that have maintained tougher restrictions on Russian participation.

He also accused Russia of using elite sport as a tool for state propaganda.

“In Russia, elite sport is deeply connected with the military and state propaganda system. It’s one of the biggest whitewashing mechanisms. This is why we call it sportswashing,” Bidnyi said.

The Ukrainian government says Russia’s invasion has had a devastating impact on the country’s sporting community, including the deaths of hundreds of athletes and coaches and the destruction of hundreds of sports facilities.

The FIA has said it continues to ban the organisation of events and competitions in Russia and Belarus while monitoring the situation in Ukraine.

The governing body said the updated requirements for Russian and Belarusian drivers, national teams, competitors and officials followed the IOC’s decision and similar changes by other international sporting federations.

However, Bidnyi maintained that the lifting of restrictions was premature while the war continues, arguing that international sport should continue to support pressure on Russia until the circumstances that led to the sanctions change.