Estonia Will Not Admit Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Competitions Until Ukraine War Ends

In brief

• Estonia has told FIS that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not compete on its territory while the war in Ukraine continues.
• The move responds to FIS's September decision to ease restrictions on athletes from both countries.
• Finland and Norway have announced similar restrictions; Estonia hosts world ski and biathlon championships in early 2027.

Ministry letter to FIS

Estonia's Ministry of Culture, which also oversees sport, has written to FIS to confirm that the government's position has not changed. Athletes and teams from Russia and Belarus will not be permitted to take part in international competitions held in the country until the war in Ukraine is over (Эстония не допустит беларусских спортсменов к соревнованиям на своей территории – Reform.news) («Пока война в Украине не закончится»: Эстония не допустит российских и белорусских спортсменов к соревнованиям – NV) (Естонія підтвердила, що не пустить спортсменів з РФ та Білорусі до себе на змагання – Європейська правда).

The ministry said the government, the ministry and the Estonian Olympic Committee have held one position since the full-scale invasion began: Russian and Belarusian sportspeople should not compete internationally during the war (Минкультуры Эстонии сообщило, что российские спортсмены не будут допущены к соревнованиям в стране – TV Rain). Officials argued that hosting such events would undercut Estonia's support for Ukraine, one of the country's most active commitments, and would give Moscow and Minsk a platform for propaganda through international media coverage (Эстония вслед за Финляндией и Норвегией запретила спортсменам из России выступать на соревнованиях на своей территории – The Insider).

Why FIS rules are in question

In early September, FIS relaxed restrictions on athletes from aggressor states, allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutrals in individual disciplines, provided they sign a neutrality declaration. The easing also lifted limits on athletes linked to military and security sports clubs, including CSKA and Dynamo Moscow («Суперечило б позиції країни»: Естонія слідом за Норвегією та Фінляндією заборонила в'їзд спортсменам із РФ та Білорусі – Suspilne). Estonia's letter was a direct response to that change.

Earlier restrictions and upcoming events

Estonia had already stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian and Belarusian citizens in March 2022, and from August of that year barred entry to Russians, including those holding visas for sports or cultural events. The ministry urged event organizers to show full support for Ukraine and to condemn Russia's aggressive war.

Estonia is scheduled to host the world junior and under-23 ski championships in January 2027, followed by the world biathlon championships in February.

Other countries

Finland and Norway announced restrictions shortly before Estonia's letter. Norway's government said its ban covers Russian and Belarusian athletes and team officials at events held in the country, including the ski jumping season opener in Lillehammer (Еще одна страна запретит россиянам и белорусам участие в спортивных соревнованиях на своей территории – NV).

Read also

• Norway to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from entering, following Finland
• Co inni piszą o Białorusi – 13 listopada 2026
• Finland to Bar Russian Athletes From Entry Over Ukraine War, Effective Monday