Valtonen says Russian athletes have no place in Finland

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen says Russian athletes should not come to Finland next year if Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, Yle reports. She wrote on X on Sunday that she would work to advance the necessary measures in the coming days.

Russia’s possible return to the Ice Hockey World Championships has prompted debate among Finnish politicians.

Earlier in October, Valtonen said she was calling for a full EU ban on visas for Russian tourists. Five Finnish members of the European Parliament also signed a demand on Friday calling for new sanctions and visa restrictions against Russia. The measures are intended to prevent Russian national ice hockey teams from returning to international championships.