Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issues statement on proposed Olympic truce with Russia
Photo: Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (Vitaliy Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine supports Italy's proposal for a worldwide truce during the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will take place from February 6 to 22, stated Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi during a briefing.
"We support this call. But it should be remembered that Russia has started a number of wars during the Olympic truce. Russia began its invasion of Georgia during an Olympic truce. Russia began its invasion of Ukraine during an Olympic truce," Tykhyi said.
According to him, Russia's actions are deliberate, taking advantage of the media's focus on the Olympics to commit crimes in the shadows of global attention.
Tykhyi added that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire with Russia not only during the Olympics but immediately, as Kyiv had long accepted the US proposal for a truce, which Russia continues to ignore.
"If Russia needs an Olympic truce for this, then let it be an Olympic truce. However, we insist that it happens before the Olympics. I think the statement by the Italian minister is aimed at also encouraging Russia toward the peace process, meaningful diplomacy, and real steps toward peace," Tykhyi emphasized.
Olympic truce
On October 7, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani proposed a global truce during the Winter Olympics, noting that the idea is being supported by the United Nations.
The 2026 Winter Games will be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
