Peskov called the EU's calls to restrict Russian Paralympians a phantom pain.

The demands in the European Union (EU) countries to restrict athletes from Russia at the upcoming Paralympics, which will be held in March 2026, are a "phantom pain" of Western politicians. This was announced on February 19 by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

"The fact that such phantom pains of these demands — to limit this way, to limit this way — will continue, of course, they will. But the main thing, I repeat, is for the Paralympic Committee to withstand this pressure and thereby protect the foundations of Paralympism," he said in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin.

The Kremlin's official representative, commenting on the calls of some Europeans not to issue visas to persons who should accompany the Paralympians on trips, said that the host country, according to the rules, must sign a document providing all participants with the necessary conditions.

Peskov added that Moscow welcomes the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian athletes to participate in sporting events, who will be allowed to use their national symbols. He clarified that the Russian side believes that any sport should be free from politics.

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A day earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sibiga, called for a boycott of the opening ceremony of the Winter Paralympic Games in protest against the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions in full status.

Representatives of the Russian Embassy in Italy called insulting the demands of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Sports of this country Antonio Tajani and Andrea Abodi, respectively, to prevent the participation of Russian Paralympians in competitions. The ministry added that the field of Paralympic sports undoubtedly requires special sensitivity, so the words of Italian politicians are unacceptable.

At the same time, Peskov called Ukraine's refusal to participate in the Paralympic Games wrong and clarified that the Russian Federation has always adhered to the position that sport should never become a victim of politics, therefore categorically disagrees with this approach.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.