Statement on the decisions by the International Paralympic Committee related to the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games

Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden firmly condemn the recent decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games under their national flags, also allowing the display of their anthems and state symbols. This decision undermines international efforts to isolate Russia and Belarus in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

We also deplore the decision by the IPC to prohibit Ukrainian athletes from wearing costumes featuring a map of Ukraine. Misrepresenting a map of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders as propaganda is deeply concerning and mocks the principles of international law.

We express our full solidarity with Ukraine and its people. We jointly call on the IPC to reconsider its decisions and call on Member States' authorities to consider boycotting the Opening Ceremony of the Games. We support Italy as the Host Nation of the Games in its call on the IPC to revoke its decisions, thus aiming to prevent the display of the state symbols of the aggressor state and its accomplice during the Games.