Ukraine condemns CAS ruling allowing Russian hockey teams back into competition
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to restore Russian national hockey teams to international competitions and demanded that it be overturned. He called on foreign governments to restrict Russian athletes' entry and urged Ukraine's partners to oppose Russia's return.
Key points
- On October 30, CAS invalidated International Ice Hockey Federation decisions barring Russian teams from 2026/27 tournaments.
- Russian national teams gained places in five championships in the 2026/27 season.
- Russia may take Ukraine's place at the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship.
- Sybiha called the CAS decision unacceptable and ganeбним and said it should be reversed.
- Sybiha asked foreign governments to prevent Russian hockey players and athletes from entering their territories.
- Sweden opposed admitting Russian teams but said it would not boycott hockey tournaments featuring Russia.
- Ukraine is also seeking review of the International Weightlifting Federation's decision to award Russia the 2030 world championship.
Why it matters
The ruling restores Russian national teams to five championships in the 2026/27 season, challenging restrictions introduced after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine is seeking a coordinated international response, including limits on Russian athletes' entry into host countries, while the International Ice Hockey Federation says the restrictions remain necessary for safety and the integrity of competitions.
What happened
On October 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport invalidated International Ice Hockey Federation decisions barring Russian teams from tournaments in the 2026/27 season. Russian national teams subsequently gained places in five championships, and the federation confirmed that Russia could take Ukraine's place at the 2027 Ice Hockey World Championship. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the ruling unacceptable, demanded that it be overturned and said it effectively legitimized Russia's participation under the federation. He also asked foreign governments to prevent Russian hockey players and athletes from entering their territories and urged the international sports community and Ukraine's partners to take a principled position against Russia's return.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian officials frame the ruling as illegitimate support for a country still waging war, killing Ukrainians and attacking Ukrainian cities. Ukraine's government is calling for the decision to be reversed, coordinated pressure on international sporting bodies and restrictions on Russian athletes' entry into participating countries.
How international sources describe it
International reactions in the supplied reports are mixed. Sweden opposed admitting Russian teams but said it would not boycott hockey tournaments featuring Russia, while Finland's foreign minister said Russian athletes would not be able to visit Finland in 2027. The International Ice Hockey Federation said it was disappointed by the CAS ruling and maintained that restrictions were necessary for participant safety and competition integrity.
Background
Russian athletes were prohibited from competing under Russian flags after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some may still compete as individual neutral athletes if they do not support Russian aggression. The hockey ruling concerns the 2026/27 season. Ukraine is separately seeking review of the International Weightlifting Federation's decision to award Russia the 2030 world championship.