Finland Plans Tougher Entry Restrictions on Russian Citizens, Targeting Professional Athletes Amid Ongoing Ukraine War

Finland is preparing to introduce stricter entry restrictions on Russian citizens, with professional athletes among the main targets of the proposed measures as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.

The Finnish government is working on amendments to its existing entry policy, aiming to prevent Russian professional athletes from entering the country to participate in sporting events. The changes are expected to be introduced within the coming 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 issue of Russian citizens entering Finland.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Valtonen said the Foreign Ministry would prepare amendments to the government's existing policy on Russian arrivals. She also called on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed to Finnish broadcaster MTV Uutiset that the proposed restrictions would specifically target professional athletes, who have so far been eligible to enter Finland under certain exemptions.

"We have restricted Russians' entry since 2022, when the war began, including by no longer issuing tourist visas," Orpo said.

He added that the government was preparing additional measures to prevent Russian professional athletes from entering Finland. Helsinki also wants to coordinate its approach with other European Union member states.

Finland first introduced restrictions on non-essential travel from Russia in September 2022 and revised its entry policy in 2023. The existing framework includes 10 exemption categories, covering family members, transport workers and people entering for short-term employment.

Professional athletes have previously been able to obtain visas under provisions allowing employment lasting less than 90 days.

Jussi Tanner, head of consular affairs at Finland's Foreign Ministry, told Helsingin Sanomat that visas already issued to Russian citizens would not be revoked retroactively.

He explained that the proposed changes would apply to future visa decisions, while individual applications would continue to be assessed under Finnish law.

Tanner also told Iltalehti that the government does not directly decide whether individual athletes or teams can enter Finland. Such decisions must be made by the relevant authorities in accordance with existing legislation.

The proposed restrictions come ahead of several major sporting events scheduled to take place in Finland in November.

Helsinki is set to host two National Hockey League (NHL) matches next week, followed by the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition on November 20–21. Russian athletes are also expected to participate in the opening event of the cross-country skiing World Cup in Ruka from November 27–29.

Prime Minister Orpo said the new restrictions were unlikely to take effect before the NHL matches. However, he expressed hope that the government could introduce the changes within approximately two weeks.

The government has not yet clarified whether the proposed measures would also apply to Russian athletes competing under neutral status.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Valtonen announced plans to restrict Russian athletes following a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that allowed Russia to return to international ice hockey competitions.

She has also urged European Union governments to consider introducing coordinated restrictions across the entire Schengen Area.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association has announced that its national teams will not play against Russia for as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

The proposed measures reflect Finland's continued efforts to tighten its entry policy toward Russian citizens amid the ongoing conflict. However, the final details and implementation timeline of the new restrictions have yet to be officially confirmed.