Russian Officials Remain In UEFA And FIFA Amid War

As Ukraine approaches the grim fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the war continues to shape not just battlefields, but the very fabric of European institutions and the daily lives of millions. Despite international sanctions and isolation efforts, Russian officials remain embedded in the highest echelons of world football, even as Ukrainian officials find themselves working alongside them—albeit in a state of total avoidance.

The ongoing conflict, which erupted on February 24, 2022, has claimed more than 250,000 lives on both sides, according to international press estimates. With no ceasefire in sight, the reverberations of war are felt far beyond the frontlines. This week, as peace talks in Abu Dhabi offered a sliver of hope, Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian cities, plunging thousands into darkness and cold, and pushing the country’s energy system to the brink of collapse.

According to BBC and Reuters, on January 24, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski described the most recent round of peace negotiations as constructive, focusing chiefly on the parameters necessary to end the war. He underscored the crucial role of U.S. oversight in any potential endgame, stating, “I greatly appreciate the understanding of the need for U.S. monitoring and supervision of the process of ending the war and ensuring real security.” Zelenski added that, should there be a willingness to move forward, new meetings could occur as soon as next week. “Ukraine is working for peace and security. Thank you to everyone who is helping us,” he affirmed.

Yet, as diplomats talked peace, the war’s brutal realities persisted. Just hours after the Abu Dhabi discussions, Moscow unleashed a wave of powerful attacks on Ukrainian cities. At least one person was killed and dozens more injured. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that nearly 6,000 apartments in the capital were left without heating, a direct result of the targeted strikes on the energy infrastructure. The country’s largest private energy company, DTEK, revealed that 88,000 families were without electricity, while temporary blackouts and energy restrictions for industry and businesses were imposed across most regions.

Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, warned Reuters that the situation was “almost a humanitarian catastrophe.” He insisted that any future ceasefire agreement must include an end to attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s energy minister, Denis Shmîhal, echoed the alarm, saying the system was experiencing its “most difficult moments” since the massive blackout of November 2022, which followed similar Russian strikes.

Europe has responded with urgent aid. The European Commission announced it would send 447 emergency generators, valued at 3.7 million euros, to help restore power to hospitals, shelters, and essential services. This came just days after President Zelenski declared a state of emergency in the energy sector, highlighting the dire straits facing millions of Ukrainians as winter bites.

Meanwhile, the world of international football has become an unlikely but revealing theater for the war’s diplomatic fallout. Despite the sweeping bans imposed by FIFA and UEFA on Russian national and club teams in 2022—measures that covered all age groups and both men’s and women’s competitions—Russian officials have retained influential posts within these organizations. As of January 2026, FIFA still has Russian representatives in four of its committees, while UEFA includes Russians in ten committees and three expert groups, according to Ukrainian sports outlet Tribuna.com.

This situation has created a tense and awkward environment within UEFA, where five Ukrainian officials find themselves assigned to committees alongside their Russian counterparts. The Ukrainian Football Federation (UAF) explained to Tribuna.com, “Ukraine is represented in the world’s largest institutions, sometimes despite the presence of officials from the aggressor state. This allows us to confront the enemy diplomatically, maintain relationships with partners, and persuade neutral countries. A similar situation exists in football.”

But how do these Ukrainians actually work with their Russian colleagues? The UAF was unequivocal: “We do not engage with them! We are able to avoid the Russians and remain efficient in committees. None of the Ukrainians have any contact with their representatives, in any form—no handshakes, no professional or non-professional communication. No contact at all.”

Ukrainian officials have also protested what they see as UEFA’s ongoing financial support for Russian football federations and clubs, sometimes more reliably delivered than aid to Ukrainian counterparts. The UAF publicly appealed to UEFA over solidarity funds and financing programs, especially citing delays in payments to Ukrainian clubs while Russian clubs received their full share. “The UAF Executive Committee has publicly and officially appealed to UEFA regarding solidarity funds and financing programs. Especially in the context of delayed solidarity payments to Ukrainian clubs and full payments to Russian clubs,” the federation stated.

Inside the negotiating rooms, the chasm between Ukrainian and Russian positions remains vast. According to Reuters, during the Abu Dhabi talks, Russian negotiators insisted that the entire Donbas region be handed over to Moscow, a demand that has stymied nearly four years of warfare and remains unacceptable to Kyiv. Zelenski, for his part, said Ukraine expects Moscow to provide at least some answers and a genuine willingness to end its aggression.

Despite the bleakness, there are glimmers of hope. A White House source told Suspilne that the trilateral talks were “productive.” Zelenski’s own words reflected a cautious optimism, suggesting that if momentum can be sustained, further meetings could occur in the very near future.

Still, the reality for ordinary Ukrainians is harsh. Power outages, freezing apartments, and the constant threat of missile attacks are daily facts of life. The war’s ripple effects reach even into the bureaucratic heart of European football, where the presence of Russian officials is a constant reminder of unresolved tensions. Ukrainians continue to fight on multiple fronts—military, diplomatic, and even sporting—seeking both justice and relief.

As Ukraine marks four years of resistance, the struggle for peace, security, and dignity endures, with every committee meeting, every blackout, and every round of negotiations a testament to the country’s resilience and the world’s divided response.