Finland is preparing new entry restrictions for Russian athletes, with the government seeking to prevent professional sportspeople from travelling to the country while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. The Foreign Ministry is drafting changes to the existing rules, with the government hoping to introduce the measures within weeks.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced on Friday that President Alexander Stubb and the government’s Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy had discussed the entry of Russian citizens into Finland. Following the meeting, Valtonen said the Foreign Ministry would prepare amendments to the government’s current policy. In a post on X, she also called on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo later confirmed to MTV Uutiset that the proposed changes would specifically address professional athletes. Although Finland has restricted the entry of Russian citizens since 2022, some athletes have continued to qualify for exemptions under the existing rules.
“We have restricted Russians’ entry since 2022, when the war began, including by no longer issuing tourist visas,” Orpo told MTV Uutiset.
The government is now considering additional measures that would close the exemptions used by professional athletes. Orpo also indicated that Finland would seek a coordinated approach with other European Union member states rather than act entirely on its own.
Finland first introduced restrictions on non-essential travel from Russia in September 2022 and revised its entry policy in 2023. The current framework allows exceptions for ten categories of travellers, including family members, transport workers and people entering Finland for short-term employment.
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Professional athletes have been able to obtain visas under provisions covering employment lasting less than 90 days. These exemptions have allowed Russian sportspeople to travel to Finland for competitions despite the wider restrictions on Russian visitors.
However, the proposed changes are not expected to affect visas that have already been issued. Jussi Tanner, the Foreign Ministry’s head of consular affairs, told Helsingin Sanomat that Finland would not retrospectively cancel existing visas held by Russian citizens.
Instead, the amendments would guide future visa decisions. Tanner stressed that individual applications would still have to be assessed in accordance with Finnish law. He also told Iltalehti that decisions about whether particular athletes or teams can enter the country are made by the relevant authorities, not directly by the government.
The timing of the proposed restrictions has become particularly relevant because Finland is due to host several international sporting events in November. Helsinki will host two National Hockey League (NHL) matches next week, followed by the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition on 20 and 21 November. Russian athletes are also expected to compete at the opening event of the cross-country skiing World Cup season in Ruka from 27 to 29 November.
Orpo told MTV Uutiset that the new measures were unlikely to come into force before the NHL matches. However, he expressed hope that the government could complete the changes within approximately two weeks.
One issue that remains unclear is whether the restrictions would also cover Russian athletes competing under a neutral status rather than representing Russia officially. Orpo did not provide details on how such cases would be handled.
The latest proposal follows an earlier announcement by Valtonen that Finland was considering restrictions on Russian athletes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a ruling allowing Russia to return to international ice hockey competitions. Valtonen has also called on other EU governments to consider measures that could apply across the Schengen Area, which would extend the issue beyond Finland’s national borders.
The debate has also affected Finnish ice hockey policy. Earlier in the week, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced that Finland’s national teams would not play against Russia for as long as the war in Ukraine continues.
For now, Finland’s existing entry rules remain in place while the Foreign Ministry prepares the proposed amendments. The final scope of the restrictions, including how they would apply to athletes competing under neutral status, has yet to be clarified.
