Vladimir Putin said that the refusal of several Western countries to allow Russian athletes to compete is a blatant violation of the law and the institutions of democracy. "But, unfortunately, not all countries are ready to meet the obligations they have undertaken and continue not legal, but political restrictions on Russian sports. This is a clear flagrant violation of the law, court decisions, and therefore the very institutions of democracy. This is exactly how it should be interpreted," the president stressed. He ordered the Russian Olympic Committee to continue to protect the interests of the athletes. In the past, the national teams of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia have stated that they will refuse to participate in the 2027 World Hockey Championship if the Russian team is present.

Vladimir Putin said that the refusal of several Western countries to allow Russian athletes to compete is a blatant violation of the law and the institutions of democracy. "But, unfortunately, not all countries are ready to meet the obligations they have undertaken and continue not legal, but political restrictions on Russian sports. This is a clear flagrant violation of the law, court decisions, and therefore the very institutions of democracy. This is exactly how it should be interpreted," the president stressed. He ordered the Russian Olympic Committee to continue to protect the interests of the athletes. In the past, the national teams of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Latvia have stated that they will refuse to participate in the 2027 World Hockey Championship if the Russian team is present.