Ukraine’s protests ignored as IIHF partially lifts ban on Belarus

Partial Rollback of Sanctions on Belarus

According to Главком: Despite objections from Ukraine, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided to partially reinstate Belarus, allowing the country’s women’s and under-18 national teams to compete in tournaments starting in the 2026/27 season. This move follows recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The decision permits Belarusian squads to return to international competition, a step that has drawn sharp criticism from the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine.

Response from the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine

The Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine has strongly condemned the IIHF’s decision, arguing that aggressor nations have no place in global sports. Federation President Serhiy Mazur stated:

“We find this stance by the international federation completely unacceptable. We are preparing an appeal and will continue to fight for fair decisions. I repeat: aggressor countries have no place in international sports at any level-from youth to senior competitions.”

Meanwhile, the International Tennis Federation and World Athletics have maintained their sanctions against Belarus. World Athletics emphasized that its position will remain unchanged until peace is restored in Ukraine. Belarus continues to act as a Russian ally in the war against Ukraine, providing its territory and infrastructure for attacks on Ukrainian civilians. A potential change in Belarus’s status in tennis could come as early as October.

The IIHF’s partial lifting of sanctions on Belarus, despite Ukraine’s protests, highlights the complex nature of international sports relations amid ongoing political and military conflicts. The Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine’s position underscores the importance of upholding moral and ethical standards in sports-an issue that has become especially pressing given the war in Ukraine. At the same time, the continued sanctions in tennis and athletics reveal the inconsistent approaches taken by global sports bodies toward nations with aggressive political stances.

The ongoing debate surrounding Belarus's participation in international sports is further complicated by Ukraine's recent firm stance against Russia's return to the global sports arena. This situation highlights the broader implications of geopolitical conflicts on athletic competitions. For a deeper understanding of how Ukraine is responding to these challenges, you can read more about it here.