The European Basketball Federation (FIBA Europe) pledged their support today at a special meeting in Munich where the situation was discussed.

There had been confusion after the tournament's director Markiyan Lubkivsky had announced on Wednesday (March 19) that Ukraine had given up hosting rights only for the Ukrainian Basketball Federation (FBU) to insist the next day that this was not the case.

FIBA Europe have now confirmed that Ukraine will remain the host - at least for the time being. 

"FIBA Europe has reiterated its support and solidarity to FBU," said a statement from FIBA Europe. 

"It also agreed to give FBU the additional time they require in order to provide all guarantees that are needed for the project."

But FIBA Europe are also to prepare a contingency plan in case Ukraine are forced to withdraw.

Several countries, most notably France, have claimed that they would be prepared to host the event if Ukraine are unable to. 

"The Board authorised the Secretariat to prepare back-up solutions in the eventuality of emergency measures, such as the complete or partial relocation of the event," said the FIBA Europe statement.

"These back-up plans, together with an update by the Ukrainian Basketball Federation will be presented to the next FIBA Europe Board, due to take place in Munich, on 15th May."

Donetsk, scene of pro-Russian demonstrations, will not stage this year's Under-18 European Championship Men Division B, it has been decided ©Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

But FIBA Europe did decide to move summer's Under-18 European Championship Men Division B, which was due to be staged in Donetsk, Ukraine's fifth largest city, to Bulgaria.

Donetsk, located in the eastern part of the country, has been the scene of increasingly large pro-Russian demonstrations in recent days.

Last week the city declared a day of mourning after one person was killed and more than two dozen injured in a mass fight.

There are fears among some European leaders that Russian forces could intervene in eastern Ukraine to protect Russians there, the same justification used for sending troops to occupy key facilities in Crimea, which has led to annexation. 

Donetsk is also due to host matches during EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA Europe claimed that the decision to move the under-18 event to Bulgaria would "allow the Ukrainian organisers to concentrate all their resources to the EuroBasket 2015 project."

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