BEIJING, May  17, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin
suggested on Friday that Moscow would not comply with calls for a ceasefire in
Ukraine during the Summer Olympics, pointing to what he said was the unfair
treatment of Russian athletes.

Asked during a visit to China whether he backed French President Emmanuel
Macron's idea for a global "Olympic truce" during the games in Paris this
summer, Putin said: "I think these Olympic principles, including the 'Olympic
truce' are very right."

But he added: "Today's international sporting officials are themselves
disobeying the principles of the Olympic charter."

He accused sports bodies of "not allowing our athletes to perform at the
games with our banner, flag and our national music, our anthem".

"They are committing violations against us and demand fulfilment from us.

Dear friends: we won't get far that way. No one has ever come to an agreement
that way," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron restated on Friday his idea of "an Olympic
truce so that Russia ceases its current operations" in Ukraine.

Russia plans to hold a rival sporting event in September after being barred
from competing as a nation in the Olympics -- along with ally Belarus -- due to
its invasion of Ukraine.

Macron thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping last week for backing the idea
of a truce in all conflicts, including Ukraine, during the Paris Olympics.