President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that he will attend the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi.
The Games are due to take place between March 7 and March 16.
Putin said that he would also try to attend some sporting events, including the sledge hockey and skiing.
"You know, when Paralympians ski it's amazing [to watch], it's some sort of performance art," Putin said during an interview with Russian television channels.
Preparations for the Paralympic Games have been overshadowed in recent days by events unfolding in Ukraine, which faces the risk of being split apart as local authorities in the Crimean Peninsula push for a referendum on secession.
Some countries, including Britain and the United States, have said that planned attendances by top officials at the Games will not take place because of mounting evidence of Russian military deployments in Crimea.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.