Ukraine and Great Britain agree on joint actions to increase sanctions pressure on aggressor in sports

On April 7, 2022, Ukrainian-British consultations between representatives of sports departments of the two countries took place. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Andrii Chesnokov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for European Integration, and the British delegation was headed by Ben Dean, Director of Sport and Gambling, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport at the British Government.

Andrii Chesnokov thanked the participants of the meeting, the people and the

British Government for supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, as well as for all their efforts to help Ukrainians to resist the russian aggressor and his Belarusian ally.

In turn, Ben Dean stressed that the British Government is doing everything possible to support Ukraine, including in the field of sports.

During the meeting, the parties discussed further concrete steps to implement possible joint measures in the fight against the russian federation and belarus to increase sanction pressure, including financial, against athletes, representatives of sports organizations, officials, including membership in international sports organizations and participation in competitions of international and European levels, as well as deprivation of the right to organize and conduct international competitions in their territories.

In addition, the Deputy Sport and Youth Minister for European Integration asked the British side to assist Ukrainian athletes, national teams in resolving visa issues; organization of training camps with access to British sports facilities, provision of sports equipment and inventory, trainers - in employment in their specialty, etc.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed on a number of steps to involve other partner countries in cooperation on the areas of cooperation outlined during the meeting.