United States Ambassador to Ukraine, H.E. Bridget A. Brink, posted today in her twitter account about efforts of Kyrgyz Chess Union and Chess Federation of Russia to lift sanctions against Russian and Belarus players.
“United States opposes efforts to lift Russia’s suspension from FIDE. Russia’s suspension from this and other international competitions is a direct result of its brutal, ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine“, writes Bridget Brink.
Voting on Kyrgyz/Russian proposal to reinstate Russian and Belarusian players in FIDE will take place during the FIDE General Assembly which is scheduled for 21-22 September, 2024.
European chess federations are strongly against lifting sanctions against Russia and Belarus.ย European Chess Union published a statement, requesting FIDE General Assembly to keep sanctions and further on, asked FIDE to demand Russian Chess Federation to cease any operations in Ukrainian territory. In case of non-compliance, ECU urges FIDE to suspend the Russian Chess Federation with the immediate effect.
World No1ย Magnus Carlsen also supported Ukraine during the FIDE100 Gala Dinner, upon receiving the award for the greatest chess player. His federation, theย Norwegian Chess Federation, officially rejected the Kyrgyz Chess Federation proposal, and the German Chess Federation published a press release, clearly stating that theย German Chess Federation is against the return of the Russian and Belarusian chess players without restrictions. The President of the German Chess Federation Ingrid Lauterbach explained that the proposal to lift sanctions is absurd: โI think it is absurd that this application was even made, and now I hope that common sense prevailsโ.
