EU to Prepare Proposals to Prevent Russian and Belarusian Athletes From Returning to International Competitions

Reform.news Editorial Team · 15 October 2026, 23:44

https://reform.news/en/eu-to-prepare-proposals-to-prevent-russian-and-belarusian-athletes-from-returning-to-international-competitions/

EU foreign ministers discussed preventing Russian and Belarusian athletes from returning to international competitions. The European External Action Service, together with the European Commission, will prepare proposals to maintain Russia’s isolation in international sport.

This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at a press conference following a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on October 12.

According to Kallas, ministers also addressed a similar situation in the cultural sector. She stressed that sport and culture should not become tools for whitewashing Russian aggression.

Following the discussions, the EU diplomatic service and the European Commission will present proposals on how to maintain Russia’s isolation in international sport. According to Kallas, this work could proceed in parallel with the introduction of further sanctions against those destroying Ukraine’s cultural heritage.