Orpo prepares to block visas for Russian athletes

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo says Finland is preparing national measures and working with international partners to deny visas to Russian athletes, Yle reports.

The proposed restrictions would apply across all sports, Orpo said. The European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council is due to discuss the issue in the coming days at Finland’s initiative. “We need to be able to make decisions quickly,” he said.

Orpo also praised the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, which said on Monday that Finland would not play Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. “The Ice Hockey Association acted resolutely,” he said.