Overview
- The International Paralympic Committee confirmed six Russian and four Belarusian invitations for Milano-Cortina 2026, allocating Russia two slots each in para-alpine, cross-country, and snowboard, and Belarus four in cross-country.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the ruling as a “dirty,” “horrible,” and “unjust” decision in a newly released interview segment.
- Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha instructed Ukrainian ambassadors to press host governments to boycott the opening ceremony if flag permissions stand, and Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi said Ukrainian government representatives will boycott the Games.
- Ukrainian diaspora groups, including the World Congress of Ukrainians and the Union of Ukrainians in Great Britain, demanded the decision be reversed, and EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef said he will boycott the opening.
- The IPC’s September 2025 assembly restored Russian and Belarusian committee rights, and a December 2025 CAS ruling against FIS enabled broader participation; the Winter Paralympics run March 6–15 in Milan-Cortina.