Finland restricts entry for Russian athletes while Ukraine war continues

Finland's entry restriction

Finland's government decided on Thursday, 12 November, to restrict entry for Russian nationals applying for short-term, visa-required work, including professional sport. The foreign ministry said the measure also covers Russians competing under neutral status as well as those representing national teams. The rule takes effect on Monday, 16 November. Under it, only Russian citizens considered essential to Finland's national interests, such as security of supply, are to be admitted, according to N-tv. Watson reports that a government spokesperson said visas would be judged case by case, though the practical effect would be similar.

Minister's rationale

Foreign minister Elina Valtonen set out the reasoning in a statement, which the Guardian carried in English:

“As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland.”

She added that their entry would threaten Finland's international relations. The government's release said Russia uses sport as a propaganda instrument to advance the goals of its war against Ukraine. Finland had already limited entry for Russian nationals in 2023, but with exceptions, and until now professional athletes could obtain a 90-day visa for work-related travel.

Events in the firing line

The figure skating Grand Prix in Helsinki runs from 20 to 22 November, and the figure skating world championships in Tampere are set for 16 to 21 March 2027. Russian skaters are expected to be among the medal contenders at the worlds, and reigning Russian champion Adeliia Petrosian competes under a neutral flag, according to NOS. A Nordic World Cup runs from 27 to 29 November, with N-tv placing it in Kuusamo and watson in Ruka. Because the rule starts on Monday, this week's NHL games in Helsinki and the ski World Cup slalom in Levi on Saturday and Sunday are likely unaffected.

Sports bodies respond

The International Skating Union said it had taken note of the Finnish statement and was studying its implications for the Tampere worlds. The union nonetheless made its objection clear:

“ISU believes that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments in a world where, sadly, many conflicts are ongoing.”

The union said it would ask skating organisers in Finland for detailed information on the current situation.

Wider boycott and Norway

Finland is part of a group of European teams that have vowed not to play Russia at the ice hockey world championships, a stance that followed a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in early November allowing the IIHF to readmit Russians. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia and Czechia have also said they will boycott games against Russia, according to the reports. The men's world championships in May 2027 are scheduled for Germany, which is weighing whether to go ahead with hosting. Norway's government has also tightened visa policy toward Russia and Belarus, intending to keep their athletes out for the duration of the war in Ukraine, and said Russian athletes there could be expelled. The Finnish measure runs against the International Olympic Committee, which in July decided to welcome Russians back, while World Athletics keeps a blanket ban that faces a legal challenge.