Valtonen plans to propose EU ban on Russian athletes entering Schengen

Finland's foreign minister Elina Valtonen announced her intention to initiate EU-level restrictions on Russian athletes' access to the entire Schengen area.

EU-level initiative

The official shared her plans on her account on the social media platform X. She emphasised that she intends to take appropriate measures within the next few days. Specifically, during the October meeting of the Council for Foreign Affairs, Valtonen will address her colleagues from other EU member states with a concrete proposal to restrict the entry of athletes from Russia into all Schengen countries.

According to the minister, the European Commission has already begun working on this issue.

Reaction to the continuation of the war

Elina Valtonen linked her initiative to Russia's continued conduct of its aggressive war. She noted that if hostilities continue, Russian athletes will have no place in Finland next year.

"If Russia continues its aggressive war, Russian athletes will have no business in Finland next year. I intend to facilitate the necessary measures in the coming days. At the Council for Foreign Affairs meeting in October, I will address my EU colleagues with a proposal to restrict Russian athletes' access to the entire Schengen zone. The Commission is already working on this," Valtonen stated.