The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has lifted all sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

Both countries had been under sanctions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which involved using Belarusian territory to march on Kyiv.

At their general assembly in Seoul, the IPC first voted against a full suspension of Russia on Saturday (111-55, 11 abstentions). It was then followed by a vote against the partial suspension that had been in place (91-77, 8).

The same votes were then conducted regarding Belarus, with the partial suspension also lifted.

What did the IPC state?

"This decision means NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, in accordance with the IPC Constitution," an IPC statement said. 

"The IPC will work with the two members involved to put practical arrangements in place for this as soon as reasonably possible," it added. 

It means Russian and Belarusian athletes could now compete under their own flags at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics next year despite the ongoing war and occupation. 

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will uphold its strict entry regulations for athletes from both countries.

They will be allowed to compete as neutrals but cannot participate in team sports or display national symbols.

How did Ukraine react?

Ukraine's Sports Minister, Matviy Bidnyi, denounced the decision, claiming that those who voted for it had betrayed "their conscience and the Olympic values."

"We call on our European partners, who will host the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games, not to allow the flag of the aggressor state to be raised over the free and democratic space while the war of aggression continues," said Bidnyi.

He added that Ukraine's "decision on whether to participate will be made collectively at a later stage".

Federations will make final decision

The Russian and Belarusian National Paralympic Committees were partially suspended after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Their athletes could only compete as neutrals after undergoing a strict vetting process at last year's Paralympic Games in Paris.

It is unclear if athletes from either country will compete in Milan-Cortina, as the final decision rests with the sports federations, which continue to impose sanctions.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko