( CNN ) -- Ukraine will compete at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games in Russia in order to promote peace between the two nations , the head of its Paralympic Committee said , although only one of the country 's athletes attended Friday 's opening ceremony . Relations have disintegrated following the overthrow of the Russia-friendly government in Kiev , prompting a rise in tensions in the disputed Crimea region . Ukrainian officials and Western diplomats have accused President Vladimir Putin of sending thousands of troops to Crimea in the past week -- a claim Russia denies . It had sparked fears Ukraine would boycott the 2014 Paralympic Games , which run from March 7-16 , but the 23-strong team will now compete under its own flag . `` We are staying in order to be remembered , for Ukraine to be remembered as the state which sent a unified team , '' Ukraine Paralympic Committee president Valeriy Suskevich told reporters in Sochi . `` We 've taken the decision to raise the flag of independent sovereign state of Ukraine here at the Paralympic Games . '' Ukraine 's sole representative at the opening ceremony in the Fisht Olympic stadium was Nordic skier and flag-bearer Mykailo Tkachenko . The rest of the team stayed away in protest , Ukrainian Minister of Sports and Youth , Dmitriy Bulatov , said via Facebook . `` This is how our team expresses protest against aggressors and occupants entering our land , '' Bulatov said . Suskevich urged competitors not to do anything that could further increase tensions between Russia and Ukraine , while also revealing he had spoken with Putin . `` I reiterated to Putin my request for peace during the Paralympic Games , '' he said . `` I hope I have been heard by the president of Russia . `` Do just one thing -- do n't let us start a war during the Paralympic Games . We want peace . The athletes have a right to have the Paralympic Games under peaceful conditions . `` I am praying to god so that the Paralympic Games must keep peace in Europe , and my home of Ukraine . `` I could have talked at length to the president of Russia about Crimea . I could have talked a lot about conflict , I did n't have time . I realize there is exclusivity in meeting the president of Russia . `` I reiterated for Mr. Putin , emphasizing one request , that during the Paralympic Games we would have peace . '' Should the military conflict deepen , however , Suskevich said Ukraine would withdraw from the Paralympics . `` I declare should this happen we will leave the Games , '' he said . `` We can not possibly stay here in this case . `` This is what we are afraid of . This is what we are opposing and we do not want to take place . I hope my message has been heard , I hope I have been heard by the president of Russia . '' Ukraine 's decision to remain in Sochi and participate in the Games was welcomed by International Paralympic Committee ( IPC ) chairman Philip Craven . `` We are delighted as we want sport to prevail and a full complement of teams to compete in what we are confident will be a fantastic Paralympic Winter Games , '' Craven said in a statement . `` All week the IPC has been working closely with the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee in an effort to keep them here in Sochi . `` The talking point of Sochi 2014 needs to be great sport and great athletes , not global politics . `` We want all the athletes who have trained for years to reach these Games to fully focus on events on the field as opposed to off . `` Now that a decision has been taken I hope this will be the case and the athletes and the sport will take center stage and the headlines they deserve . '' Ukraine will have 21 athletes competing in the para-Nordic/biathlon events , and the other two in para-alpine skiing and snowboard disciplines . It won 19 medals , five of them gold , at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics . Only one athlete was present at the press conference , with 25-year-old biathlete Grygorii Vovchynski passionate about the chance to represent Ukraine in Sochi . `` You ask me if we are ready to compete ? Yes , with the strongest desire , '' he said . `` We are ready to compete , ready to fight for Ukraine , ready to demonstrate we are a strong and free , independent people . `` We know how to love life , love sport and love fair competition . ''
Ukraine will compete in the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi . A 23-strong team representing Ukraine will take part in the Games . Ukraine Paralympic chief Valeriy Suskevich wants to promote a message of peace . The 2014 Paralympic Winter Games get under way on Friday .