Ukraine to Boycott Paralympic Ceremonies Over Russia's Return

Ukraine announced it will not participate in official events, including the opening ceremony, at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games, which open on March 7. The decision is a protest against the approval of full participation by Russian and Belarusian delegations.

According to Reuters, Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi announced the position on January 18, stating, "Our delegation will not attend any events during the Games." He added, "However, we will participate normally in the competitions."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on the same day approved six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, permitting them to use their national flags and play their national anthems.

The IPC had barred Russia and Belarus from hosting international events and suspended their competition eligibility following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. The committee reinstated both countries' membership status at its Seoul General Assembly in August last year.

This marks Russia's first participation as a nation at the Paralympics in 12 years, since the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympic Games.