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WorldQuiet 6d · day 6

Finland pursues national ban on Russian athletes, urges EU action

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says her government will restrict Russian athletes' entry without waiting for EU-wide rules.

newest coverage 6d agosummary written 6d ago2 pieces289 likes & upvotes13 comments XNewswires

What to know

  • Finland will unilaterally ban Russian athletes from entering the country without waiting for EU-wide coordination, using visa restrictions tied to citizenship.
  • The ban covers all Russian athletes regardless of what flag they compete under, including those competing without national symbols.
  • Valtonen has urged EU counterparts to impose similar restrictions across the entire Schengen area, with the European Commission reportedly working on the matter.
  • The move affects immediate sporting events: Russian ice hockey players arriving next week for NHL games and cross-country skiers expected in late November for World Cup competition.

“At the October Foreign Affairs Council meeting, I wrote to my EU counterparts urging them to restrict Russian athletes' access to the entire Schengen area.”

Elina Valtonen, Finnish Foreign Minister · Anadolu Agency ↗ · Nov 1

Elina ValtonenElina Valtonen Finnish Foreign Minister

Finland pursues national ban on Russian athletes, urges EU action
x.com

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6yesterdaynow · 11:50 AM ET
  1. 2

    Valtonen says she urged EU counterparts to restrict Russian athletes across Schengen

    Valtonen disclosed that she wrote to EU counterparts at the October Foreign Affairs Council meeting urging them to restrict Russian athletes' access to the entire Schengen area. She noted the European Commission is working on the matter.

    “if Russia continues its war of aggression, Russian athletes will not be welcome in Finland next year.”
    — Elina Valtonen, Finnish Foreign Minister · source
    1. 1 outlet Finland pushes for national ban on Russian athletes entering country

      first by Anadolu Agency, 6d ago

  2. background

    Valtonen reveals visa-based enforcement mechanism — Valtonen clarified that legislative amendments are not needed to implement restrictions, as visa legislation is tied to citizenship rather than sporting symbols. This approach will cover athletes competing under any flag or no national symbols.

  3. background

    Valtonen announces Finland will pursue national ban without EU delay — Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Helsingin Sanomat that Finland will advance a ban on Russian athletes at the national level rather than wait for EU-wide regulations. Details will be announced later in the week. The measure covers athletes competing under any flags or no national symbols.

  4. 1

    Finland signals intent to lead Schengen-wide ban on Russian athletes

    A social media post indicates Finland is working to start a movement to ban Russian athletes from entering Schengen countries, claiming Finland has already implemented such restrictions.

    “We already did it, there should not be any problems for others to join our initiative.”
    — @TallbarFIN, Finnish social media user · source

    • Finland is working to start an movement to ban russian athletes from entering Schengen countries. We already did it, there should not be any problems for others to join our initiative.

      @TallbarFINX6d ago289▲view on X ↗