Finnish foreign minister: Russian athletes may be barred from entering in 2027
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes could be banned from visiting Finland in 2027 if Russia keeps waging war on Ukraine. Her statement followed reports that Russia's ice hockey team may return to the world championship.
Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen has said that Russian athletes may be barred from visiting Finland in 2027 unless Russia ends its war against Ukraine. She made the statement on her account on the social network X.
Valtonen said the European Commission, the EU's executive body, is currently working on a proposal to restrict Russian athletes' access to the Schengen area, the group of European countries that share a common entry system. In her words, if Russia continues its offensive war, Russian athletes will have nothing to do with Finland next year. The minister said she intends to push for the necessary measures in the coming days.
Background: the ice hockey championship
The statement came amid reports that Russia may return to the Ice Hockey World Championship. The International Ice Hockey Federation confirmed that the Russian national team could take Ukraine's place at the 2027 world championship.
Earlier steps
Valtonen previously urged the European Commission to adopt stricter rules for reviewing visa applications from Russian citizens. She also called for changes to EU law that would introduce a ban on issuing tourist visas.
Sweden is also considering a similar move. It is examining whether to refuse visas to Russian and Belarusian athletes who want to take part in international sporting events held on its territory.
The source indicates that no final decisions on the restrictions have been made, and the minister's remarks concern possible measures.
