In a political statement reflecting the ongoing wave of Russophobia, the organizers of the "European Tree of the Year" competition banned a Russian contender over the military operation in Ukraine, RT reported.

According to RT, the award was handed to a 400-year-old Polish oak tree, claiming "it has a symbolic meaning, representing Polish resistance to aggression and given that many Ukrainians are currently seeking refuge in Poland after fleeing from the war."

The disqualified Russian oak tree was planted by novelist Ivan Turgenev 198 years ago and was recently destroyed by a strong wind storm in March.

A statement by the competition's website claimed, “This move is not directed against ordinary Russian women and men. We appreciate all active citizens of the Russian Federation who strive for a free civil society and the protection of nature."

“However, we cannot stand idly by and watch the unprecedented aggression of the Russian leadership against a neighbouring country. The exclusion of Russia from the competition is a step that must be understood in the context of international efforts to isolate Russia in order to stop the war,” the organizers asserted.

In response, Rob McBride, the British liaison of the tree competition, condemned the disqualification of the Russian contender from the competition, saying that he'd "rather keep politics out of nature projects and trees especially. Trees are apolitical.”

On the other hand, Ludek Niedermayer, a Czech member of the European Parliament, hailed the unlawful decision, "claiming it would be unacceptable to celebrate together with Russians right now, given the situation in Ukraine," according to RT.