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Nigerian authorities arrest 90 people for carrying Russian flags

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes". 
 
Quizzed on the possible presence of Russian athletes in Paris competing as neutrals, Macron added: "I hope that this is a decision of conscience in the Olympic world. It is not the host state which must decide what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should do."

He added to sports daily L'Equipe: "I have total confidence in Thomas Bach (the IOC president)".

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022.

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Despite the ongoing war, the IOC has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in international competitions. 
Those allowed to reintegrate into world sport must satisfy certain conditions.

These include competing under a neutral flag and proving that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.

"Obviously, there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is consensus," Macron added in his interview with L'Equipe. "There is no place for Russia as a country at a time when it has committed war crimes, when it has deported children."

"The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime."

However, Macron pondered how to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are accomplices and those who are victims of the regime.

"This is the real question," he added.

The IOC must, he said, make a decision that is fair and understood by Ukrainians. 
 
"This is the balancing act that we will have to carry out." 
 
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French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes".

French President Emmanuel Macron insisted Wednesday that "the Russian flag cannot be at the Paris Olympic Games... at a time when Russia is committing war crimes". Quizzed on the possible presence of Russian athletes in Paris competing as neutrals, Macron added: "I hope that this is a decision of conscience in the Olympic world. It is not the host state which must decide what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should do." He added to sports daily L'Equipe: "I have total confidence in Thomas Bach (the IOC president)". Athletes from Russia and Belarus have faced sanctions from a multitude of sports since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. ALSO READ: Former champion Naomi Osaka to return for 2024 Australian Open Despite the ongoing war, the IOC has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and Moscow ally Belarus to compete as individual neutrals in international competitions. Those allowed to reintegrate into world sport must satisfy certain conditions. These include competing under a neutral flag and proving that they have not actively supported the war in Ukraine. "Obviously, there cannot be the Russian flag at the Paris Games, I think there is consensus," Macron added in his interview with L'Equipe. "There is no place for Russia as a country at a time when it has committed war crimes, when it has deported children." "The real question that the Olympic world will have to decide is what place to give to these Russian athletes who sometimes have prepared for a lifetime, and can also be the victims of this regime." However, Macron pondered how to differentiate between those Russian athletes who are accomplices and those who are victims of the regime. "This is the real question," he added. The IOC must, he said, make a decision that is fair and understood by Ukrainians. "This is the balancing act that we will have to carry out." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russian flag cannot be at Paris Olympic Games, insists Emmanuel Macron

A court in Berlin on Monday banned the display of Russian flags and symbols around three Soviet memorials in the city during Second World War commemorations. The higher administrative court was in agreement with the police who thought that Russian flags and St George ribbons may get interpreted as symbols of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"In the current context, they could be understood as a declaration of sympathy for the war" and "convey a willingness to use violence", the court said in a statement.&nbsp;

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. The European Union joined the US in imposing sanctions on Russia. Germany has also been involved in efforts to impose sanctions on Russia and provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.

Watch | EU takes aim at companies aiding Russia's war machine

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Initially, the police had prohibited both, Ukrainian and Russian flags at the memorials on May 8 and 9. The end of the Second World War is commemorated on these days.

While prohibiting Ukrainian as well as Russian flags at the memorial&nbsp;the police had argued that "respect for these memorials and monuments must be preserved against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war".

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But a lower court in the German capital on Saturday overturned the ban after the police decision was challenged by Ukrainian and Russian organisations. The court cited a "different view on our threat assessment".

Ukrainian activists welcomed the chance to fly their own flags but raised concerns over the green light for Russian symbols.&nbsp;

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Vitsche, an association of young Ukrainians in Germany, said the St George ribbon "has been used since 2014 to justify and glorify the Russian attack against Ukraine".&nbsp;

Police filed an appeal against the decision on Russian symbols, which was upheld on Monday by the higher court.&nbsp;

The decision to allow Ukrainian flags was unaffected since the police did not appeal against lifting the ban.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A court in Berlin on Monday banned the display of Russian flags and symbols around three Soviet memorials in the city during Second World War commemorations. The higher administrative court was in agreement with the police who thought that Russian flags and St George ribbons may get interpreted as symbols of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A court in Berlin on Monday banned the display of Russian flags and symbols around three Soviet memorials in the city during Second World War commemorations. The higher administrative court was in agreement with the police who thought that Russian flags and St George ribbons may get interpreted as symbols of support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "In the current context, they could be understood as a declaration of sympathy for the war" and "convey a willingness to use violence", the court said in a statement. Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. The European Union joined the US in imposing sanctions on Russia. Germany has also been involved in efforts to impose sanctions on Russia and provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. Watch | EU takes aim at companies aiding Russia's war machine × Initially, the police had prohibited both, Ukrainian and Russian flags at the memorials on May 8 and 9. The end of the Second World War is commemorated on these days. While prohibiting Ukrainian as well as Russian flags at the memorial the police had argued that "respect for these memorials and monuments must be preserved against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war". Also Read | Russia accumulated billions of rupees in Indian banks. But why can't it use it? But a lower court in the German capital on Saturday overturned the ban after the police decision was challenged by Ukrainian and Russian organisations. The court cited a "different view on our threat assessment". Ukrainian activists welcomed the chance to fly their own flags but raised concerns over the green light for Russian symbols. Also Read | Russia speaks of developing military facilities in Kyrgyzstan Vitsche, an association of young Ukrainians in Germany, said the St George ribbon "has been used since 2014 to justify and glorify the Russian attack against Ukraine". Police filed an appeal against the decision on Russian symbols, which was upheld on Monday by the higher court. The decision to allow Ukrainian flags was unaffected since the police did not appeal against lifting the ban. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

No Russian flags at memorials on WW II anniversary, rules Berlin court

The Little Mermaid statue, which is one of the most notable landmarks in Copenhagen, Denmark, was vandalised with colours of the Russian flag painted across its base.

On Thursday night, the colours of the Russian flag - white, blue and red - were daubed on the rock on which the heroine's statue from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale rests.

Copenhagen police stated that they visited the scene and “a case of vandalism” was recorded and now they were making attempts to find “traces” in the area.&nbsp;

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The police have started investigating the act of vandalism which is being seen as an expression of support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

The vandalised statue was photographed by a few puzzled tourists on Thursday morning.

The Little Mermaid statue, which has taken inspiration from a character of the same name in the Danish author Hans Christian &nbsp;Andersen’s 1837 fairytale, weighs 175kg (385lb) and has been sculpted by Edvard Eriksen.

According to Andersen's tale, the mermaid, who is the daughter of a mythical sea king, falls in love with a prince and wishes to become human.

WATCH | Russia: Don't ignore new territorial realities

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The statue, which is kept in Langelinie's relatively secluded harbour in Copenhagen, has been vandalised several times. In 1964, the mermaid’s head was stolen, and her arm was removed in 1984. In 1998, her head was again removed by vandals, but it was returned later, before getting blown off her perch in 2003. &nbsp;

The statue has been painted several times, most recently in 2020, when a mysterious inscription of a “racist fish” was added to it.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Little Mermaid statue, which is one of the most notable landmarks in Copenhagen, Denmark, was vandalised with colours of the Russian flag painted across its base.

The Little Mermaid statue, which is one of the most notable landmarks in Copenhagen, Denmark, was vandalised with colours of the Russian flag painted across its base. On Thursday night, the colours of the Russian flag - white, blue and red - were daubed on the rock on which the heroine's statue from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale rests. Copenhagen police stated that they visited the scene and “a case of vandalism” was recorded and now they were making attempts to find “traces” in the area. ALSO READ | Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska The police have started investigating the act of vandalism which is being seen as an expression of support for Russia's war against Ukraine. The vandalised statue was photographed by a few puzzled tourists on Thursday morning. The Little Mermaid statue, which has taken inspiration from a character of the same name in the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 fairytale, weighs 175kg (385lb) and has been sculpted by Edvard Eriksen. According to Andersen's tale, the mermaid, who is the daughter of a mythical sea king, falls in love with a prince and wishes to become human. WATCH | Russia: Don't ignore new territorial realities The statue, which is kept in Langelinie's relatively secluded harbour in Copenhagen, has been vandalised several times. In 1964, the mermaid’s head was stolen, and her arm was removed in 1984. In 1998, her head was again removed by vandals, but it was returned later, before getting blown off her perch in 2003. The statue has been painted several times, most recently in 2020, when a mysterious inscription of a “racist fish” was added to it. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Little Mermaid vandalised with Russian flag's colours in Denmark

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Nigerian authorities arrest 90 people for carrying Russian flags

Russian flag cannot be at Paris Olympic Games, insists Emmanuel Macron

No Russian flags at memorials on WW II anniversary, rules Berlin court

Little Mermaid vandalised with Russian flag's colours in Denmark