The key facts
- Sybiha called the CAS decision 'shameful,' demanded its overturn, and urged countries not to issue entry permits to Russian hockey players
- The IIHF named five 2027 tournaments involving Russian national teams, including the junior championship, which starts as early as December 2026
- The federation said it disagreed with the CAS ruling but acknowledged that it was binding
The head of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spoke out against the arbitration ruling
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha spoke out against the return of Russian hockey players to international competitions. According to him, the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) would amount to a 'legitimization of Russia's actions.' He set out his position on the social network X, demanding that the ruling be overturned and warning of the negative consequences of admitting Russian athletes. 'This shameful decision must be overturned', the minister wrote.
A call to other countries
In addition, Sybiha called on the governments of other states not to issue entry permits to Russian hockey players, appealing to countries that, in his words, 'have not lost their moral compass.' The outlet Life.ru also notes that Finland previously stated its intention to bar Russian athletes from entry across the entire Schengen area in 2027.
What the arbitration decided and what it changes
The CAS ruling came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation: as Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev reported, the arbitration granted the FHR's main claims and overturned five decisions, on the basis of which Russian teams had been barred from international competitions. According to the minister, the ruling is final, and the next steps concern organizing the national teams' participation in competitions.
Which tournaments are affected
The International Ice Hockey Federation named five 2027 world championships, to which Russian national teams must be admitted: the men's and women's world championships, the junior (under-20) tournament, as well as under-18 competitions for boys and girls. The junior championship, moreover, will begin as early as December 2026. The IIHF stated that it disagreed with the CAS ruling but acknowledged that it was binding: the return of the Russians will require revising calendars, tournament formats, logistics and security measures.
