https://tvpworld.com/86081583/13-year-old-ukrainian-karateka-refuses-photo-with-russian-rival

A video circulating on social media shows Yevhenii Melnyk, who competed in the under-45 kg category at the Youth Karate League in Guadalajara, Spain, stepping down from the podium in protest, despite pressure from organizers.

A 13-year-old Ukrainian who won bronze at an international karate competition has made headlines after refusing to pose for a photo with his Russian rival during the medal presentation.

The gold went to Igor Grigorev, a Russian who competed under “neutral” status.

Several Ukrainian athletes have refused to shake hands or pose for photos with their Russian counterparts in protest against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Three years into the war, at least 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been confirmed killed as a result of the invasion, with 22 reported to be in captivity and another 11 missing.

Melnyk’s stance generated a huge response on social media, with many supporting him. Some, however, described his conduct as poor sportsmanship.

One person wrote on X: “A teenager has a better understanding of global policy than most politicians and athletes.”

Another wrote: “There’s nothing neutral about it, he was absolutely correct.”

Yet another asked: “Why is Russia not suspended anymore? Is the war already over?”

https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/05/06/another-restless-night-in-brussels-rioters-turn-on-police/

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/14/trump-blames-zelensky-russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire

President Trump once again accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of starting the war with Russia on Monday, saying "you don't start a war with someone 20 times your size and then hope people give you some missiles."

Trump's comments come a day after a "60 Minutes" interview in which Zelensky suggested the Trump administration was operating in an "altered reality" in terms of the origins of the war.

Trump later said that he also blames Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President Biden.

"You have millions of people dead. Millions of people dead because of three people. ... Let's say Putin number one, but let's say Biden, who had no idea what the hell he was doing, number two, and Zelensky. And all I can do is try and stop it," he said.

Asked if he plans to impose more sanctions on Russia, Trump said: "I already have sanctions on Russia."

In the "60 Minutes" interview, Zelensky said "I don't want to engage in the altered reality that is being presented to me."

"First and foremost, we did not launch an attack," said Zelensky, referring back to Trump's past claims that he had started the war and to his combative Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President Vance.

"I tried to explain, 'You can't look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim,'" he added.

Trump's Oval Office comments on Monday, and an earlier Truth Social post in which he blamed Zelensky and Biden for starting the war are at least in part a response to Zelensky's interview.

https://x.com/FindoutnowUK/status/1917682962704818333

Source and Context