Zelensky on Olympic Russians: "Too small sanctions"

During the Olympic Games, Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate under a neutral flag. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyj, does not think this should be permitted.

Now he is directing sharp criticism at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

All countries in the world can see that if an athlete competes under a neutral flag, it is an athlete from Russia or Belarus, he says.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, countless sanctions have been imposed by the rest of Europe against the country, but when it comes to Olympic participation, Zelenskyj thinks more could have been done.

I think the sanctions are too small.

Zelenskyj was invited to the Olympic opening ceremony, but due to the war's development in Ukraine, he chose to decline.

I would have loved to come, if it weren't such a tough time in my country. There is a tense situation in the eastern part of the country, and we are in a difficult situation.