The minister called on the British government to refuse visas to Russians
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba criticized the decision of the organizers Wimbledon allow Russian and Belarusian tennis players to compete.
“Wimbledon’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to participate is immoral. Has Russia stopped its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to meet two partners in crime. I call on the UK government to deny visas to these players.”
Earlier it was reported that the organizers of Wimbledon allowed Russian athletes to apply for participation, subject to a number of rules. Tennis players from Russia and Belarus, as well as their teams, will have to sign a “declaration of neutrality”. Also, players receiving funding from the Russian or Belarusian states will not be allowed to the tournament.
In April 2022, the organizers of Wimbledon decided to remove Russian and Belarusian tennis players from participation in the tournament in connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine.
ATP and WTA allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to their events under a neutral flag. It should be noted that at the Australian Open-2023, during the match between Ukrainian Katerina Beindl and Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, fans demonstrated the flag of the Russian Federation. Also, the symbolism of Russia was noticed at the match between Serb Novak Djokovic and Russian Andrey Rublev, and Djokovic’s father was caught on video with a fan in a T-shirt with the Z symbol.
Wimbledon’s decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime. I call on the UK government to deny visas to their players.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 31, 2023
Source: Sportarena
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