Ukraine's Zelensky to appeal to world leaders against Russians at 2024 Olympics
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to urge world leaders to oppose the prospect of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the upcoming Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come under fire after it moved to water down the outright ban on delegates from both countries at the 2024 Games.
It is considering whether Russians and Belarusians could be able to compete as neutrals during the contest in Paris next year.
Ukraine has threatened to boycott the Olympics if the idea is approved.
In a nightly address last month, President Zelensky said attempts "to bring Russian athletes back into the Olympic Games are attempts to tell the whole world that terror is somehow acceptable".
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The hero war leader will speak to leaders of 30 nations convened to discuss the issue on Friday, including France, Germany, Poland, the US and Canada.
Rishi Sunak and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky held talks during the war leader's visit to the UK (PA)Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who is chairing the summit, said "we cannot allow Russian athletes to line up alongside Team GB and everyone else on the world stage".
She said: “President Zelensky told the UK in Parliament this week of the suffering still being felt by many Ukrainians.
"As he did so the IOC was continuing to ignore the international allies stepping up their efforts for peace and disregard how the Olympics will give Putin the perfect platform to promote Russia and legitimise his illegal war."
She urged the IOC to show there are "consequences to this illegal invasion".
A collective statement is expected to be agreed and published in the days following the summit.
It comes after Mr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the UK on Wednesday where he piled pressure on Rishi Sunak to donate warplanes to Ukraine.
In an electric speech in Parliament, the Ukrainian President asked for "wings for freedom" to help his people repel Russian forces.
Downing Street said on Thursday that it was looking at a "whole suite of options" to assist the Ukrainians in their battle against Russia.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was seeing "whether we can provide fighter jets in the future".
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"You've seen what the Defence Secretary has said this morning, that fast jets are not the only capability that can be used, and obviously we will look at the whole suite of options to ensure we can continue to support them in the best way possible," said the No10 official.
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