The Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) has condemned UEFA's decision to return Russian teams in the U-17 age category to international competitions.

The corresponding statement was published by the UAF on its official website.

The governing organization of Ukrainian football stressed that they would not participate in any competitions to which teams from Russia would be admitted, and called on other UEFA associations to boycott matches with representatives of the terrorist state.

"UAF strongly condemns UEFA's decision to return U-17 teams from the Russian Federation to international competitions. UAF insists on maintaining the previous decisions of UEFA and FIFA to prevent all Russian teams from participating in international competitions under the auspices of CMX organizations.

UAF confirms that it will not participate in any competitions with the participation of Russian teams, and appeals to other UEFA member associations to boycott possible matches with the participation of teams from the Russian Federation, provided that they are allowed.

We are convinced that the adoption of such decisions on the gradual return of teams from the Russian Federation to participate in competitions in the midst of hostilities waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine is groundless and tolerates Russia's aggressive policy.

We strongly urge UEFA to reconsider this decision and leave in force the previous decision on the complete suspension of any teams from the Russian Federation from participating in international competitions," the UAF said in a statement.

Earlier, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin issued a blatant statement that depriving Russian children of the right to compete on the European stage is direct discrimination.

In turn, England refused to play with the youth national teams of Russia, which UEFA allowed to participate in international competitions.

Russia's suspension from international football: what is known

In response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, UEFA and FIFA suspendedRussian clubs and national teams from participating in tournaments under their auspices.

Russian clubs were expelled from European competitions, and the Russian national team was excluded from the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup and not allowed to qualify for Euro-2024.

Since February 24, 2022, the Russian national team has played only friendly matches. The rivals of the national team of the terrorist country were Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt U-23 and Qatar.