French president proposes Russia ceasefire in Ukraine during Summer Olympics

In an interview with Ukrainian media on March 16, Mr. Macron was asked whether France, as the host of this year's Olympics, would follow tradition and seek “a ceasefire during the Olympics.”

The journalist who asked the question is believed to be referring to the Olympic Truce, a customary period of ceasefire that begins seven days before the Olympics and ends seven days after so that athletes can travel to and from the Games safely.

“This will be required,” the French leader replied.

“The host country's rules are to follow the Olympic movement,” the French leader said when asked about his view on the situation where Russian athletes were allowed to participate under a neutral flag.

“This is a message of peace. We will also follow the decision of the Olympic Committee,” he added.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) initially banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing internationally after the military conflict in Ukraine escalated in February 2022. However, last year the ban was reviewed by the organisation and conditions were set to allow individuals, not teams, to participate, provided they did so under a neutral flag.

The decision sparked an outcry from Kiev, with President Vladimir Zelensky calling for a complete boycott of the Games. However, Ukraine later softened its stance and allowed its athletes to compete as long as the Russians and Belarusians were present as neutrals.

While Moscow condemned the IOC's demands, calling them "unreasonable, legally invalid and excessive", the head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnykov, confirmed on March 15 that this year's Games in Paris will not be boycotted, despite the restrictions.

“We will never go down the path of boycotting the Olympics. We will always support our athletes,” he told RIA Novosti.

Hoang Bach