The Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Sweden deeply regrets that athletes representing the Russian Federation were allowed to participate in the ongoing Europe Smash tournament in Malmö. Their participation followed the decision of the Executive Board of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) of July 10, 2026, to permit Russian athletes to return to international table tennis competitions.
This decision is particularly disappointing given the position expressed by the Swedish Table Tennis Association, which publicly acknowledged that the participation of Russian athletes in the tournament is unfortunate.
Just about four years have passed since ITTF, on 1 March 2022, decided to suspend Russian athletes and officials from participating in international table tennis events following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That decision reflected the extraordinary gravity of the circumstances and the international sporting community’s recognition that Russia’s unprovoked war constituted a fundamental violation of the principles upon which international sport is built.
Regrettably, nothing has changed that would justify a departure from the spirit of that decision. On the contrary, the Russian Federation continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine with unabated intensity. Every day, Russian missiles, drones, and artillery strike Ukrainian cities and villages, killing and injuring civilians, including children. Hospitals, schools, kindergartens, residential neighbourhoods, and other civilian infrastructure remain deliberate targets of Russian attacks.
Sport has not been spared from Russia’s aggression. Across Ukraine, more than 850 sports facilities have been damaged or completely destroyed, depriving thousands of children and young athletes of opportunities to train, compete, and pursue their dreams. Coaches, athletes, and members of the Ukrainian sporting community have been killed, wounded, or forced to flee their homes. Many Ukrainian athletes continue to defend their country on the battlefield instead of competing in international arenas.
It is deeply disturbing that, while virtually the whole of Sweden — the Government, businesses, civil society organisations, and thousands of ordinary Swedes — work tirelessly every day to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, provide shelter and support to Ukrainians affected by the war, and rebuild the buildings and infrastructure destroyed by Russia, we see on Swedish soil the representatives of the aggressor state — the athletes, that are officially competing under the flag of the aggressor state, and by doing so have created a highly favourable image for Russian propaganda — as if Sweden and the entire international democratic community had never imposed sanctions on the aggressor state, and as if Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine had somehow ceased to be a reality!
Ukraine remains deeply grateful to Sweden, its Government, Parliament, sporting organisations, and the Swedish people for their steadfast and principled support since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Sweden has consistently demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine and an unwavering commitment to defending international law, justice, and human dignity.
It is precisely because of this strong partnership and our shared commitment to these values that the Embassy finds this development particularly regrettable. We sincerely hope that future decisions by organisers of international sporting events hosted in Sweden will fully reflect both the spirit of international solidarity with Ukraine and the fundamental principles upon which democratic societies and international sport are built.