Finland’s Foreign Ministry is preparing further entry restrictions for Russian citizens. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on November 6 that officials were drafting changes to the existing government decision. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the measures could affect Russian athletes; no final decision has been adopted.
President Alexander Stubb and the government’s Foreign and Security Policy Committee discussed the initiative on November 6. Finland is due to host NHL games involving Russian players the following week and a cross-country skiing World Cup event in Ruka later in the month.
Finland has restricted Russian citizens’ entry since 2022. Earlier in November, Valtonen had proposed discussing restrictions on Russian athletes across the Schengen area. The current ministry work concerns changes to Finland’s national entry rules.