The decision by the UCI Management Committee in the Dutch village of Hoogerheide comes after the IOC opened the door for athletes from Russia and Belarus to return to global sport under a neutral banner.

It is the first Olympic International Federation to make the move since the IOC announced on January 25 that it would explore a pathway for the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes following consultation calls.

The UCI Management Committee unanimously adopted a resolution in line with the IOC's position to consider allowing cyclists and officials from Russia and Belarus to participate in global competitions under "strict conditions".

Under the criteria that the UCI said could be set after a new resolution by the IOC Executive Board, athletes would compete as neutrals and would "not represent their state or any other organisation in their country".

The UCI, which is led by IOC member David Lappartient, also warned that anyone who was "actively supporting the war in Ukraine" would not be able to participate and must comply with the World Anti-Doping Code.

A ban on all Russian and Belarusian national symbols and anthems would remains in place, while no events can be staged in either of the two countries.

The UCI called on Governments not to decide whether an athlete can participate in global events "solely on the basis of their nationality" and "not to use the Olympic Games and our international competitions as a tool for political sanction".

However, the worldwide governing body admitted that European Cycling Union (UEC) leader Enrico Della Casa had raised fears over the response from Governments to the participation of Russian and Belarusian cyclists.

"During the debates, the UEC President expressed the concern within the European continental confederation regarding the hostile positions of governments and public opinions of a number of countries, which could maintain restrictions on their respective territories despite the principles of the Olympic Charter and of the autonomy and neutrality of the Olympic Movement," a statement from the UCI read.

"The UEC therefore hoped that the IOC would work with the various governments so that National Federations, organisers and athletes would not be put in difficulty if they had to organise or participate in events that could be open to Russian and Belarusian athletes.

"They also mentioned their desire to maintain the unity of Europe and that the forthcoming decision on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be a vehicle for dividing European countries."

The UCI insisted that it "strongly condemned" Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supported by its military ally Belarus as it pledged to provide more support to the war-torn country.

It was agreed by the UCI Management Committee to welcome Ukrainian athletes to the UCI World Cycling Centre - an education and training facility located in Aigle in Switzerland.