Two Canadian ministers expressed their disappointment on Friday regarding the decision that permits Russia to rejoin the ice hockey world championships, as the country’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its fifth year.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand mentioned that the Canadian government is still evaluating the ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but she stated she was “not comfortable” with the idea of a Russian team participating in this year’s World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Alberta.
“Make no mistake, this is a very unwelcome decision given the geopolitical situation, given the actions of Russia,” Anand told CBC’s Power & Politics. “All options are on the table and I will say, again, I greet this decision with great disappointment.”
WATCH | Anand’s full interview:
‘Focus on the substance’ of Canada and EU’s partnership, not the name: Anand
On the margins of the Canada-EU summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada wants to be the bloc’s first ‘associate member.’ Power & Politics spoke to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
The CAS opened up a pathway on Friday for Russia to return to international ice hockey competitions, reversing an exclusion imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Hockey Canada shared Anand’s disappointment, along with Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden.
“Canada maintains, as it has since 2022, that Russia should not be represented in international sport competitions while Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable full-scale invasion against Ukraine continues,” van Koeverden wrote in his own statement.
Statement from Hockey Canada. 🍁 Déclaration de Hockey Canada. 🍁 https://t. co/m Z666Q9Pm O
-Hockey Canada
The court’s ruling annulled decisions made by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which had prohibited both Russia and Belarus from competing internationally since Feb. 28, 2022. The federation expressed its disappointment with this ruling but stated it would “act in accordance” with it.
This year’s world juniors are set for Dec. 26, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027, in Alberta in Red Deer and Edmonton.
Ministers skip group photo with Russian counterpart at G20
Also on Friday, a traditional group photo at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta was canceled by the United States after several European officials indicated they would boycott if Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was included.
In her interview, Anand noted she missed out on taking part in that photo due to being en route to a meeting at the Canada-EU summit in Montreal; however, she added that if she had been present, she would have joined her colleagues in skipping it as a protest.
“It is not my preference at all to be in a picture with Sergey Lavrov,” she said.
While discussing hockey matters during her time in Atlanta, Anand informed reporters that Canada would “continue to maintain our own restrictions on the participation of Russian athletes at events hosted in Canada that receive federal funding.”
According to Hockey Canada, there has yet been no federal funding allocated for hosting the 2027 world junior tournament.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta on Friday. (Megan Varner/Pool/The Associated Press)
Anand remarked that she sat directly across from Lavrov during meetings held in Atlanta and looked him “straight in the eye,” telling him that Russia’s ongoing attacks against Ukraine are “absolutely reprehensible and contrary to international law.”
Some G20 nations had already voiced concerns over U. S.’s invitation extended towards Russia for these meetings especially considering how U. S. President Donald Trump deepened tensions between his administration and Ukraine by easing new sanctions against Moscow while temporarily restricting logistical support and intelligence assistance.
The Canadian government has shown strong support for Ukraine right from day one; last month both countries declared a partnership lasting a century.
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