Ukrainian volleyball chief Melnyk condemns FIVB's Russia reinstatement

Mykhailo Melnyk, president of the Ukrainian Volleyball Federation, sharply criticised the International Volleyball Federation’s (FIVB) decision to readmit Russian men’s and women’s national teams to the Nations League from the 2027 season. He said the move was taken by the FIVB board without any consultation with Ukraine, noting that no vote was held at a congress and the decision was made “in a hurry” despite the ongoing war.

Melnyk added that Ukraine would consider avoiding a match against Russia if the two teams were drawn together, describing any such encounter as “ugly and unacceptable” while Russian forces continue to kill and shoot. The Russian federation has already indicated it may not attend the 2027 World Championship in Poland for security reasons.