Ukraine's sports minister condemns FIA decision to allow Russian racers

Ukrainian minister Matvii Bidnyi said the FIA erred in removing the prohibition on Russian and Belarusian participants, asserting that the conflict's conditions have worsened rather than improved. The original ban, imposed in February 2022 after Vladimir Putin launched the invasion, was lifted on 3 August after the International Olympic Committee made a comparable decision. Bidnyi described a recent Russian drone attack on Kyiv's central rail station and ongoing air alerts as proof that Russian aggression continues daily.

He criticized other federations that are easing sanctions, labeling the move as "sportswashing" and lamenting the disappointment it causes in Ukraine. While some sports, like biathlon and athletics, maintain bans, the Russian Athletics Federation is challenging sanctions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The FIA responded that it has updated requirements for Russian and Belarusian drivers but still bans events in the two countries and will monitor the situation closely.