The European Union is discussing visa restrictions targeting Russian athletes to close border loopholes and pressure Moscow through major international sports events, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The proposed measure comes as international sports federations gradually readmit Russian competitors, while individual member states enforce scattered entry bans. Kallas stated in an interview with Reuters that Russian President Vladimir Putin cares little for battlefield casualties but closely guards the prestige of international sporting showcases.
European officials aim to harmonize entry rules across the bloc so that Russian athletes can no longer bypass national bans by traveling through neighboring EU territories. Most member states agree that sports restrictions should form part of the upcoming sanctions package scheduled for approval at the European Council summit on November 27, Sport.cz reported.
Finland and Norway have already bypassed Brussels by enacting total government entry bans against Russian and Finnish professional athletes and their support staff. The Finnish government implemented these sweeping restrictions ahead of the March World Figure Skating Championships in Tampere, Sport.cz noted.
The International Skating Union responded by criticizing the measures while analyzing their operational impact. The federation says athletes should not be penalized for the actions of their home countries as international conflicts continue.
| Country / Body | Action Taken | Target Event |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | Government entry ban for Russian and Belarusian professionals | World Figure Skating Championships (March) |
| Norway | National border entry restrictions | General professional sporting events |
| Czech Republic | Visa denial expected from government | IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship (January) |
In parallel with sports restrictions, EU foreign ministers are set to adopt individual sanctions targeting individuals and entities connected to oil refineries and Russia’s shadow fleet. European Commissioner for Financial Services Maria Luís Albuquerque announced the measures during an address in the European Parliament, noting that the European Commission is finalizing the 22nd sectoral sanctions package.
French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad said that the new listings will cover 150 additional entities and 50 banks. Albuquerque emphasized that prior restrictions have cost Moscow more than a trillion euros in potential war funding, though implementation gaps remain a persistent challenge across the bloc.
“Obchodní sankce EU dosáhnou zamýšleného účinku, pokud je všechny členské státy budou uplatňovat jednotně a koordinovaně,” said Mihails Kozlovs, a member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the audit.
