The US, EU, And FIFE Have All Sanctioned And Banned Russian Cats (Photos)

As a consequence for Moscow's military invasion on the former Soviet republic, the International Feline Federation (FIFe) has banned Russian-owned cats from competing in its events.

"The FIFe executive board is astonished and appalled that the Russian Federation's army has invaded the Republic of Ukraine and begun a war," the Paris-based federation declared on Tuesday. "We can't just watch these crimes and do nothing," the organization added.

As a result, Russian residents' cats will be barred from entering FIFe shows. Furthermore, no cats bred in Russia are allowed to be imported and recorded in a FIFe pedigree book, according to the organization.

"Regardless of whatsoever organization these exhibitors are members of, no cat belonging to exhibitors living in Russia may be entered at any FIFe event outside Russia."

Sanctions will be in force until at least May, and they may be extended depending on what happens in Ukraine. FIFe has announced that it will utilize a portion of its funding to help Ukrainian cat breeders and fanciers. "In these challenging conditions, our Ukrainian feline fanciers are urgently attempting to take care of their cats and other animals," the organization said.

FIFe is a federation of cat registries throughout Europe, South America, and Asia, having member organizations in 39 countries. It's also one of nine members of the World Cat Congress.

The international retaliation against Russia for the invasion in Ukraine has gone far beyond economic penalties. Athletes from Russia have been forbidden from competing, and people from all walks of life have been sanctioned. Valery Gergiev, a Russian conductor, was expelled from the Munich Philharmonic for failing to oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He was also compelled to resign as honorary president of the Edinburgh International Festival after losing appointments with the Bavarian State Opera. Despite delivering a declaration opposing the war, legendary singer Anna Netrebko lost bookings in Germany.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Western sanctions targeted not just state leaders, but also regular citizens, in violation of international conventions. "I did not believe that these penalties, which were prompted by impotent rage, would include sports, cultural exchange, or interpersonal relationships," he told Al Jazeera.