The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Sports Committee have sent an official letter to the President of the International World Games Association, José Perurena López. The Ukrainian side expressed gratitude for the support and called for maintaining the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 12th World Games in 2025, which will take place in Chengdu, China.

The letter emphasizes that the aggression initiated by Russia and supported by Belarus continues, with Russian occupiers committing atrocities against the Ukrainian people. During the full-scale invasion, Russia has already killed more than 500 athletes and coaches and caused damage to over 500 sports infrastructure facilities. Given these facts, Ukraine insists on continuing sanctions against Russia and Belarus until the aggression ceases and a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace is restored.

Ukrainian representatives reminded the International World Games Association of its 2022 decision to prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in competitions. The Ukrainian side urges that these restrictions remain in place for the upcoming 2025 events.

“We count on your continued solidarity with Ukraine and our sports movement,” reads the joint letter signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi, and President of the Ukrainian Sports Committee Ilya Shevlyak.