Finland bars Russian athletes from entering country over Ukraine war

• Russians ‘have no business’ in country, says minister

• Skating and cross-country skiing first to be affected

Finland says it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, potentially affecting a number of winter sports. The move follows a backlash in Finland to Russia being reinstated for the ice hockey world championships.

“As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland,” said Elina Valtonen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. “Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland’s international relations. The same is true of other short-term work under visas that is not essential to Finland’s national interests.”