The Ukrainian karate team will miss the European Championship among cadets, juniors and youth, which will be held in Sochi, Russia, reports the Main with reference to TSN.

The reason was the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, according to a statement by the Ukrainian Karate Federation.

"It was a difficult and unpleasant decision. In this situation, any decision will be unpleasant. After all, we are talking about the lost year of the hard work of our young athletes and their coaches, and about the lost medal hopes and plans.

But there are things more important than sports achievements.

In the conditions of the actual war between Ukraine and Russia, it is neither possible nor desirable for us to go to the aggressor country for competitions. UFC is a patriotic organization, which in principle questions is not subject to hybrid decisions and compromises, "the statement says..

Before making a decision, the organization was consulted with the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

The European Championship will be held on 2-4 February 2018.