Statement by the delegation of Ukraine
at the debate of the UN General Assembly on agenda item 11
“Sport for development and peace: building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal”
(19 November 2025)

Madam President,

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacity.

Let me start by commending the delegation of Italy for the excellent facilitation of the draft resolution entitled “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.” Ukraine has co-sponsored the draft and will support further efforts to make the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games a success.

Ukraine recognizes the vital role of sport in building a peaceful and better future, in promoting tolerance, equality and mutual understanding among people and nations, as well as in advancing public health and wellbeing. Sport unites communities, inspires youth and strengthens social resilience.

However, the ability of sport to serve as a force for peace is gravely undermined by Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. This war has caused devastating consequences for Ukraine’s sports sector. Russian aggression has disrupted athletes’ preparation for competitions, led to the cancellation or postponement of numerous events, restricted access to training facilities and caused the partial or complete destruction of sports infrastructure.

Distinguished colleagues,

The Russian Federation has killed at least 644 members of Ukraine’s sports community, injured 20 others, while 20 remain in captivity and 13 are missing. At least 799 sports facilities in Ukraine have been attacked by Russia, of which 180 were completely destroyed, 134 partially destroyed and 420 severely or partially damaged. Belarus has actively assisted Russia in committing these crimes.

Therefore, the international community must maintain the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sports competitions as the only justified and necessary response to their complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Allowing their participation would undermine the integrity of sport as a contributor to peace, condone the ongoing killing of Ukrainian athletes and their coaches and show disrespect to the hundreds of members of Ukraine’s sports community who have been killed, injured or displaced by this war.

In this regard, Ukraine welcomes the International Olympic Committee’s decision to maintain the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee for breaches of the Olympic Charter, including its violation of the territorial integrity of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

Madam President,

Ukraine today stands as the only country in history that, under full-scale attack, continues to send its national team to the Olympic Games — a testament to our unwavering commitment to the Olympic values of peace, dignity and justice.

Russia often repeats the phrase “sport is outside politics.” But war is not politics — war is a crime. A state that wages a war of aggression, deliberately kills athletes, destroys stadiums and sports schools has no moral standing to refer to the Olympic ideal. Russia has violated the Olympic Truce at least three times, further demonstrating its disregard for the fundamental principles of the Olympic movement.

Distinguished colleagues,

Sport must remain a platform for peace, not a tool for propaganda by aggressor states. We must ensure that there is no Russian or Belarusian state representation in global sport until Russia ends its barbaric war of aggression against Ukraine.

I thank you.