European countries are deliberately creating conditions to exert psychological pressure on Russian athletes ahead of the winter sports season. Svetlana Zhurova, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, stated this to NEWS.ru on September 25.
Earlier, the Euractiv news portal, citing EU diplomats, reported that EU countries were discussing measures aimed at restricting the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions under their national flags.
In Zhurova’s view, the emergence of such news right before the start of the winter season is no coincidence; it is a calculated move intended to sow anxiety among Russian athletes.
“I think European countries want to unsettle Russian athletes,” the MP said. “I believe that such countries—the Baltic states, in particular—will not be granted the right to host international competitions if they intend to pursue this kind of policy toward Russia.”
As the press bureau of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported on August 11, European elites are deeply concerned about the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to lift sanctions against the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and Russian athletes. The SVR emphasized that the European Union is prepared to take any measures necessary to prevent Russia’s return to the international sports arena.