Russia leaves a bloody trail wherever it appears.

While Russian missiles and drones continue to hit Ukrainian cities every day and mercilessly claim human lives, some international sports institutions are once again opening the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to perform under national flags, anthems, and other state symbols.

The decision of the International Gymnastics Federation (IGF) to lift all specific restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes is a serious mistake. The Executive Board of European Gymnastics has decided to follow the IGF's decision and lift all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, but this decision is not yet final: it must be ratified by the extraordinary General Assembly of this organization, scheduled for July 28. The very direction of these processes sends a dangerous message that the aggressor state can gradually return to normal international flows, even though the aggression has not been stopped, the occupied territories have not been liberated, and those responsible for the crimes committed have not been punished.

Even more worrying is the decision of the International Olympic Committee on July 7 to temporarily lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and declare that its previous recommendations to international federations to restrict the participation of Russian athletes are no longer applicable. This effectively leaves the federations to decide on the participation of Russian athletes and teams, while the IOC will decide on the use of the Russian flag, anthem and other state symbols at the Olympic Games at a later date. While the aggression is ongoing, such a step represents a particularly dangerous signal of Russia's further return to international sport. What has actually changed to justify such a turn? Russia has not withdrawn its troops from Ukraine, nor has it stopped bombing our cities, destroying civilian infrastructure and killing civilians. We see no real willingness on the part of the Russian side to stop the bloodshed. On the contrary, the Russian political leadership continues to announce the continuation of the so-called "special military operation".

Belarus has not withdrawn its support for Russian aggression, nor has it stopped putting its territory and state capacities at the service of that war of conquest.

If Russia and Belarus' policy towards this war has not changed, there is no compelling reason for the international sports community to change its attitude towards them.

The Russian flag is not a neutral piece of cloth. Under it, Russian forces attack Ukrainian cities and occupy foreign lands. The same goes for the Russian anthem. These are symbols of a state that is trying by force to abolish the right of the Ukrainian people to have their own independent state, preserve their national identity, and freely choose their path and future.

The return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions without restrictions cannot be presented as a depoliticization of sport. It is a highly political decision that helps the aggressor re-present itself as an acceptable and equal member of the international community.

The price of such "normalization" is not paid by the officials of international sports organizations, but by Ukrainian athletes. Such decisions not only serve to justify the crimes of the aggressor, but also encourage him to continue this policy, these crimes and murders. These decisions are soaked in the blood of innocent victims of aggression. According to the latest official data from Ukraine, 682 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since the beginning of the Russian aggression. Among them are Olympians, European and world champions, coaches and young talents who will never again step onto the field, track or sports arena.

Russian attacks have already destroyed or damaged 891 sports infrastructure facilities across Ukraine — stadiums, gyms, swimming pools, sports schools and athlete training centers. Thousands of children have lost their training places. Many Ukrainian athletes are now preparing for international competitions amid airstrikes, missile strikes and power outages.

Some were forced to leave their cities and their countries. Others lost coaches, family members or friends. Still others exchanged their sports equipment for military uniforms to defend their country. Such a harsh reality makes any talk of fair play meaningless.

They are now expected to stand at international competitions alongside representatives of the country that destroyed their sports facilities and killed their colleagues. To look at the Russian flag and listen to the anthem of the regime that is trying to destroy their homeland. It is a humiliation of the victim.

In modern Russia, sport has long been inseparable from the state and its propaganda machinery. Sports successes are used to create an image of the regime's strength, while numerous clubs, federations and athletes are linked to state, military or security structures. Some famous Russian athletes have publicly supported the war or participated in propaganda activities.

At the same time, the attempt to bring Russia back into international sport is part of a broader debate that is increasingly being imposed on the European public. Its basic message is that Russia's defeat could allegedly be more dangerous than its continued aggression. This way of thinking can be recognized in some statements by representatives of Russian business and political circles, including a recent article by Andrei Melnichenko for The Economist.

Regardless of the different motives of those who advocate such positions, the political effect of this narrative remains the same: the West is asked to fear Russia's possible weakness or disintegration more than the consequences of its aggression.

Europe is presented with a picture of Russia's disintegration, unstable political entities, criminal groups, and uncontrolled nuclear weapons. The conclusion is drawn that Russia must not be defeated and that pressure must be directed not at the aggressor, but at Ukraine — to reduce its military activities, give up some of its legitimate goals, and agree to negotiations on Moscow's terms. This is a very dangerous substitution of theses.

Ukraine did not start this war. Ukraine did not commit aggression against Russia nor is it trying to destroy Russian statehood. Russia committed aggression against a neighboring country and it is Russia that can stop the war by withdrawing its troops from the territory of Ukraine.

Peace is not achieved by tying the hands of the victim while the aggressor is given back his privileges, nor by accepting the thesis that respect for international law is less important than fear of the possible consequences of defeat for the state that has grossly violated it. Making concessions in sports may seem like a small and technical step. However, it is precisely from such steps that a policy of normalization is built. Today, the way is being opened for the return of the flag and anthem to sports competitions. Tomorrow, the lifting of other restrictions will be sought, and then a return to normal political and business relations — without cessation of aggression and without accountability for the crimes committed.

Ukraine is not seeking privileges, but consistency. As long as Russian aggression continues, there is no place for Russian and Belarusian state symbols in international sports competitions. If the complete exclusion of athletes is not possible, their participation can only be individual and strictly neutral, with careful verification of connections with state, military and security structures, as well as public support for aggression and war propaganda.

We expect a principled stance from international federations and countries, including Montenegro, that organize sports competitions. Montenegro knows well the value of freedom, dignity and the right of small states to independently decide on their fate. That is why we believe that they will remain on the side of international law.

Sport should bring people together. But sport that turns a blind eye to murder, destruction and injustice only helps the aggressor cover up the bloody trail he leaves wherever he appears.

The author is the Ambassador of Ukraine to Montenegro