According to the decision, visas will only be granted for short stays in Finland if doing so is deemed “necessary for Finland’s national interest”.
The new entry restrictions also apply to Russians competing under a neutral flag - and, by extension, to Russians who are not elite athletes.
“As long as Russia continues its war of aggression, Russian athletes are not welcome in Finland. Their entry risks our international relations,” Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in a press release.
From 16 November
The decision takes effect on 16 November. Yle reports that those who already have a valid visa will not be affected by the new rules.
Under the EU Visa Code and the Schengen Borders Code, a visa can be refused and entry denied if the applicant is considered a threat to the international relations of the country of entry.
The participation of Russian athletes in international competitions has long been hotly debated, particularly in ice hockey.
Russia has been banned from participating in international ice hockey since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On 30 October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned that decision, meaning Russia will be allowed to compete in the World Championships again.
Several countries, including Sweden and Finland, have said they refuse to compete against Russia in future championships.
The World Cup season in skiing will begin in Ruka, Finland, at the end of November. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has previously given a number of Russian skiers the green light to compete under a neutral flag.
Sweden is waiting for the EU
The Swedish Ski Federation, together with the Swedish Sports Confederation, has tried to persuade the Swedish government to stop Russians and Belarusians from competing in the World Ski Championships in Falun in February. The government has sent a letter to the European Commission to speed up new visa rules and thus be able to deny visas to more Russian and Belarusian citizens.
“The Swedish Ski Federation does not want Russian athletes on the starting line, so what we are doing now is trying to push to increase the possibility of being able to deny visas,” Sports Minister Jakob Forssmed (KD) told TT.
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