Ukraine calls for Russia boycott at World Championship
Kyiv wants countries not to play matches against Russian national hockey teams.
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Ukraine has called on countries to boycott matches against Russian national hockey teams. The call follows an international sports tribunal clearing the way for Russian teams to return to competitions organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).
Ukraine’s foreign and sports ministries issued the call in a joint statement on 6 November. According to Kyiv, it is a principled response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, not merely a sporting issue.
The IIHF had excluded Russian national teams since 2022. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the ice hockey federation had to lift the exclusion. The practical implementation has not yet been finalised.
According to Associated Press, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Norway, Denmark and Latvia have said they want to take part in the World Championship but do not want to play against Russia. Austria also joined that position, according to AP.
The issue also affects the organisation and financing of the tournaments. According to AP, main sponsor Škoda said it would reassess the partnership if Russia takes part. Clothing company Strauss is considering withdrawing its sponsorship logos, according to AP; the news agency said other sponsors had voiced similar objections.
Canada has also stated that Russian players will not be welcome at the World Junior Championship, which will be held there next month. That makes Russia’s participation in international tournaments uncertain, even if the IIHF formally decides to admit it.
According to AP, the IIHF says the consequences of the ruling have been underestimated. The federation cites visas, security, logistics and the effects on match schedules among the problems that must be resolved quickly. Ukraine wants countries to increase the pressure, while Russia expects opponents who do not play, according to AP, to be awarded a regulatory defeat.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ukraine has called for countries not to play against Russian national hockey teams.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport has obliged the IIHF to lift the exclusion of Russian national teams.
- Several countries and sponsors have objected to Russian participation.
- Canada has said it will not allow Russian participation in the upcoming junior tournament.
Left
Arguments From a left-wing perspective, the participation of Russian teams would normalise the consequences of the war; exclusion and a boycott are ways of showing solidarity with Ukraine.
Values International solidarity, human rights and the responsibility of sports organisations.
Consequences A boycott could diplomatically isolate Russia, but could also affect matches, athletes and organisers.
Centre
Arguments Sport must deal with political pressure, security and legal rulings at the same time. A solution could lie in clear conditions, neutral participation or temporary practical restrictions.
Values Institutional continuity, legal certainty and feasibility.
Consequences A compromise could keep the tournament going, but could be seen as insufficient by both Ukraine and Russia.
Right
Arguments From a right-wing perspective, sports federations should respect their own rules and rulings and should not settle political conflicts through matches.
Values Adherence to rules, equal treatment and the separation of sport and politics.
Consequences Admission could provide legal clarity, but might lead to countries, sponsors and spectators withdrawing.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is supported by an official Ukrainian statement and independent reporting by AP. Uncertain consequences for participation and schedules have been presented as uncertain rather than established.
- confirmed Ukraine called on 6 November for a boycott of matches against Russian national hockey teams. — Joint statement by the Ukrainian ministries. source
- confirmed The Court of Arbitration for Sport obliged the IIHF to lift the exclusion of Russian national teams. — AP describes the ruling and its consequences. source
- confirmed Seven European ice hockey countries do not want to play against Russia. — AP names Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Austria. source
- confirmed Canada will not allow Russia to take part in the upcoming World Junior Championship. — AP reports this position of the Canadian government. source
Editor's note
Ukraine’s call has been officially confirmed. The consequences for the field of participants and match schedules have not yet been finalised; claims about a complete boycott have therefore been attributed to countries and federations.Sources
- Joint Statement on Boycotting Matches Against Russian National Ice Hockey Teams — Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken van Oekraïne
- Ice hockey world championship sponsors increase pressure on IIHF over Russia’s return — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „hockey rusland”
- RTL Nieuws — „hockey rusland”
- NOS — „hockey rusland”