The Russian politician delivered his comments in a speech at the Closing Ceremony of the multi-sport event held at the Minsk-Arena in the Belarusian capital.

More than 2,200 athletes from 22 countries, including 13 that are not CIS members, battled it out for medals across 20 sports over 10 days of competition in 11 cities in Belarus.

Among the non-CIS countries represented at the Games included Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.

The Games were staged at a time when Russian and Belarusian athletes are facing restrictions on the global sporting stage in response to the war in Ukraine.

Under the International Olympic Committee's conditions of neutrality, athletes from Russia and Belarus are not allowed to compete under their country’s flag and anthem and are prevented from wearing national uniform.

Several International Federations have imposed an outright ban on competitors from the two countries.

Lebedev paid tribute to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his support of the CIS Games and thanked the nations that participated.

"Despite any sanctions barriers, sports, peace and friendship reigned in Belarus for 10 days," said Lebedev in a report by Russia’s official state news agency TASS.

"The fact that not only our friends from the Commonwealth, but also athletes from 13 far abroad countries arrived in Belarus to participate in the second Games of the CIS countries, clearly and convincingly shows that in sport there are no and cannot be borders between states, there is no and should not be politics and discrimination.

"The past competitions have once again demonstrated that in real sport there is only fair competition, equality and a truly festive mood."

Lukashenko had declared the Games officially open on August 4 where he claimed that sporting sanctions imposed against his country were a "sign of weakness".

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a greeting to participants on the day of the Opening Ceremony.

The CIS Games saw athletes compete in sports including athletics, volleyball, beach football, futsal, 3x3 basketball, rhythmic gymnastics and shooting sport.

Russia topped the standings with 288 medals, including 149 gold, 89 silver and 50 bronze.

Belarus placed second with 48 gold medals, 78 silver  and 110 bronze, while Uzbekistan ranked third with 28 gold, 25 silver and 53 bronze.

"For many athletes, this was a serious test," said Russia’s Deputy Sports Minister Alexei Morozov in a report by TASS.

"We were carrying a squad that was specially prepared for these Games, for many it was the main start of this season, for athletes it was a landmark, they performed at an international start for the first time.

"Belarus set a high bar in the organisation of competitions."

The Closing Ceremony included performances from the Bolshoi Theatre in Belarus and young Belarusian singers.

Azerbaijan is set to stage the 2025 CIS Games following the handover of the official flag of the event.

Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko attended the ceremony where he passed the flag to his Azerbaijan counterpart Shahin Mustafayev.

It will be the third edition of the Games following Kazan 2021 and Minsk 2023.