> Lichess will not remove Russian or Belarusian flags from user profiles. Russia and Belarus exist as countries, and removing their flag does not change that. There are also many Russians and Belarusians who disagree with the war and are protesting it, whose bravery we respect, but by nationality still identify as Russian and Belarusian.<p>In these days I think deliberately displaying the Russian flag on one's profile has to be interpreted as supporting Russia's government.
Regarding "Russia and Belarus exist as countries, and removing their flag does not change that" - no one wants to remove Russia nor Belarus as countries but Russia wants to do so with Ukraine with the help of Belarus.
I also would have wished for Lichess to communicate their stance more quickly.