The upcoming Winter Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina have sparked controversy after the decision to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags. Several countries have announced that they will boycott the opening ceremony scheduled for March 6 in Verona as a form of protest. Nations including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Netherlands, and Ukraine confirmed they will not take part in the ceremonial parade, citing ongoing concerns related to the conflict in Ukraine. The UK government has also joined the protest by announcing that no ministers or official representatives will attend either the opening or closing ceremonies. Officials stated that Russian and Belarusian states should not be represented in international sporting events while the war in Ukraine continues. Russia and Belarus were previously banned from the 2022 Paralympic Games following the invasion, though some athletes were later allowed to compete as neutrals during the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) responded to the situation by explaining that the decision to allow the athletes was influenced by a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which overturned previous bans applied by certain governing bodies. IPC president Andrew Parsons acknowledged the concerns raised by boycotting nations but emphasized that the committee must respect the legal ruling and that participation in the opening ceremony is not mandatory. Some countries, including Germany, have also chosen not to participate in the parade of nations as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. Despite the political tension surrounding the event, the IPC stated that it remains focused on ensuring fair competition for all athletes. The Winter Paralympic Games will run from March 6 to March 15, with competitions including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, wheelchair curling, biathlon, and para ice hockey scheduled throughout the event.