The Ukrainian government has officially requested the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) to reconsider its recent decision to lift the ban on Russian and Belarusian competitors in international motorsport events. This ban had been in place since February 2022, coinciding with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter addressed to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the country's Minister of Youth and Sports expressed that the decision to allow Russian participation came as a surprise to the Ukrainian automobile federation. The federation stated:

"Although this decision is consistent with the latest decisions of the International Olympic Committee, it may, in practice, have a counterproductive effect on the integrity of competitions."

The Ukrainian motorsport community has suffered significant losses due to the ongoing conflict, with many competitors having lost their lives during the war. The federation emphasized that such circumstances should not be overlooked when making decisions affecting the sport.

The FIA clarified in its own statement that while it has updated requirements for Russian and Belarusian participants, it still maintains a ban on organizing events in Russia and Belarus. The FIA continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely.

Boris Romanovich Rotenberg, president of the Russian automobile federation, commented on the matter, attributing the decision to extensive diplomatic efforts and advocating for the separation of sport from politics. He expressed gratitude towards the FIA for what he termed a constructive dialogue, emphasizing the importance of reinstating the Russian federation's membership in the FIA.