The key facts

  • Medvedev does not share the enthusiasm over the CAS decision and believes it is right to wait for the situation to change
  • On October 30 CAS overturned the suspension of the Russian ice hockey team; the IIHF said it would comply with the decision
  • Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Finland refused to hold 2027 World Championship matches against Russia

Medvedev's statement against the backdrop of the CAS decision

Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said that the time when 'Russia's enemies' will 'humbly beg' for the return of Russian athletes to professional sport will come soon, because Russia is 'a great sporting power.' He set out his position in the Max messenger.

Skepticism about the admission of Russian teams

According to Gazeta.Ru, Medvedev does not share the enthusiasm over the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision to admit Russian teams to international competitions — given, in his words, the attitude toward Russia on the part of Canada and other Western countries. He believes it is right to wait for a 'fundamental change in the situation' rather than take advantage of the current admission.

Context: lifting of the suspension and countries refusing to play against Russia

The statement came after CAS fully upheld the appeal of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation on October 30 and overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decision to suspend the national team. The IIHF emphasizedthat it is disappointed with the outcome but will comply with the court's decision and urgently assess the steps and the time needed to implement it. Against this backdrop, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Finland refused to hold 2027 World Championship matches against Russia; the UN gave its assessment of this refusal, and earlier Vyacheslav Fetisov saidthat he sees no benefit in the CAS decision regarding Russian hockey players.