UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is due to chair an international summit to discuss the participation of Russian athletes at next year's Olympic Games in her first major meeting since her appointment two days ago ©Getty Images

United Kingdom Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is set to chair a summit of 30 nations tomorrow to coordinate an international response to fears that Russian and Belarusian athletes will participate at next year's Olympic Games in Paris. 

It will be Frazer's first major meeting in the role following her appointment by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday (February 7).

She is set to be joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via video link who will give a live opening address to delegates remotely.

Zelenskyy visited London yesterday to hold talks with Sunak before travelling to Brussels for a meeting today with European Union leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who it has been claimed by the International Olympic Committee supports the participation of Russians and Belarussians under a neutral banner.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, visited London yesterday to meet United Kingdom President Rishi Sunak, left, where the Olympics was among the topics discussed ©Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, visited London yesterday to meet United Kingdom President Rishi Sunak, left, where the Olympics was among the topics discussed ©Getty Images

"President Zelenskyy told the UK in Parliament this week of the suffering still being felt by many Ukrainians," said Frazer.

"As he did so the International Olympic Committee was continuing to ignore the international allies stepping up their efforts for peace and disregard how the Olympics will give Putin the perfect platform to promote Russia and legitimise his illegal war.

"We're approaching a year since this barbaric invasion began.

"We must urge the IOC to show that the Olympic values mean something.

"We must make clear there are consequences to this illegal invasion.

"We cannot allow Russian athletes to line up alongside Team GB and everyone else on the world stage."

Ministers and senior representatives from countries including France, Germany, and Poland, as well as the United States and Canada, are among those expected to attend.

They will assess other countries' positions and consider the potential for a firm collective view in response to the IOC.

Ukraine has been threatened with suspension by the IOC if it boycotts next year's Olympics in Paris over the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus ©Getty Images
Ukraine has been threatened with suspension by the IOC if it boycotts next year's Olympics in Paris over the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus ©Getty Images

Last month, the global governing body announced it was exploring a pathway for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutrals despite the continued invasion of Ukraine.

The UK Government claims that it strongly condemns the move from the IOC as "a world away from the reality of war".

Ukraine has claimed that it will boycott Paris 2024 if athletes from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete, even under a neutral banner.

IOC President Thomas Bach responded by writing to the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine President Vadym Guttsait to warn them they would be in violation of the Olympic Charter and could be suspended.