Russian President Vladimir Putin has firmly rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s plea for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the upcoming Summer Olympics.
During his visit to China this week, Putin responded to the media by criticizing the perceived unfair treatment of Russian athletes by international sports officials.
Putin’s Stance on the Olympic Truce
Addressing the issue, Putin acknowledged the principle of the Olympic truce, which traditionally calls for halting conflicts during the games.
"I believe these Olympic principles, including the 'Olympic truce,' are very appropriate," Putin stated, according to CNN on Friday, May 17.
However, he swiftly condemned international sports organizations for allegedly violating these principles by excluding Russian athletes from competing under their national symbols.
"The current international sports officials do not adhere to the principles of the Olympic Charter," Putin remarked.
Putin accused these bodies of barring Russian athletes from participating with their national flag, anthem, and other symbols.
"They have infringed upon our rights and demand compliance from us. Dear friends: we will not go that far. No one has ever reached such an agreement," he declared.
Last Friday, Macron reiterated his proposal for an "Olympic ceasefire" to halt Russia’s ongoing operations in Ukraine during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting the idea of a ceasefire in all conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, during the Olympics.
In response to being barred from the Olympics due to their invasion of Ukraine, Russia plans to host a rival sports event in September, alongside its ally Belarus. This move underscores the ongoing tension between Russia and the international community over the conflict in Ukraine and the broader implications for global sports diplomacy.
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