Kharlan expressed her outrage and disappointment regarding the FIE's decision to relax neutrality rules, allowing Russian military athletes to participate in competitions. "It's one of the propaganda tools of the army," she stated, highlighting the direct link between these athletes and the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. She expressed deep concern about the implications for the sport, indicating that the integrity of fencing is at risk due to Russian influence and governance issues surrounding the FIE.