Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Arkady Dvorkovich, the Russian president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), as part of measures against athletes supporting the war. His name appears in the draft of the European Union's 20th sanctions package. The outcome may depend on Hungary's stance.
On February 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council's decision to impose sanctions on ten Russian athletes accused of supporting the war and using sports to promote it. Among those targeted was Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE.
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine's presidential commissioner for sanctions policy, confirmed that Dvorkovich has been under Ukrainian sanctions since the previous day. "Dvorkovich has been under our sanctions since yesterday… For those who don’t know, he is the president of the Chess Federation. At the same time, at least for now, he is in the draft of the European Union’s 20th sanctions package," Vlasiuk stated.
Vlasiuk noted that Ukraine regularly shares its prepared sanctions lists with partner countries to coordinate international restrictions. He added that Dvorkovich's inclusion in the EU package could depend on whether Hungary exhibits significant activism or adherence to principles.
The sanctions come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. On December 14, FIDE's General Assembly held an online session and passed two resolutions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian chess players in international competitions, allowing young players to use their national symbols once again.
The other sanctioned individuals include wrestlers Yevhen Baydusov and Imam Ganishov, archer Svitlana Dashanymaeva, fencer Yana Yegoryan, taekwondo practitioners Vladyslav Larin and Maksym Khramtsov, gymnast Angelina Melnikova, judoka Madina Taimazova, and boxer Fedor Chudinov.
