Fem ridsportförbund i skarp protest mot FEI:s Rysslandsbeslut

Från och med den 5 oktober 2026 häver FEI de återstående restriktionerna för ryskt deltagande i internationella ridsporttävlingar. Beslutet fattades av FEI styrelse den 1 september.

Nu går Svenska Ridsportförbundet samman med förbunden i Danmark, Norge, Finland och Estland i en gemensam protest. De fem förbunden anser att FEI beslut för ridsporten närmare en normalisering av ryskt deltagande – trots att kriget i Ukraina fortfarande pågår. De nordisk-baltiska förbundet markerade redan i fjol, när ryttare från dessa länder tilläts tävla igen, under neutral flagg.

– Situationen i Ukraina har inte förändrats. Kriget fortsätter och den ukrainska ridsportgemenskapen påverkas direkt av Rysslands aggressioner. Därför anser vi att det är helt fel av FEI att öppna den internationella ridsporten för ryskt deltagande i det här läget, säger Camilla Sjölund Lundevall, ordförande i Svenska Ridsportförbundet.

Förbunden ställer sig bakom det ukrainska ridsportförbundets uppmaning till FEI styrelse att ompröva beslutet. De vill att restriktionerna ska ligga kvar så länge de omständigheter som ledde till att de infördes består.

Gemensamt uttalande i sin helhet:

Our position remains unchanged – We stand with Ukraine

The National Equestrian Federations of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden stand united in our continued and unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian equestrian community.

We have taken note of the decision by the FEI Board of 1 September 2026 to lift, with effect from 5 October 2026, the remaining protective measures concerning Russian participation in FEI Events.

We cannot support this decision.

At the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong in 2025, our seven National Federations jointly expressed our opposition to the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials to return to international equestrian sport under neutral status.

Our position was clear: the war in Ukraine continued, the circumstances that had led to the protective measures had not changed, and it was not the right time to reopen international equestrian sport to Russian and Belarusian participation.

Sadly, the fundamental circumstances have still not changed.

The war continues. The Ukrainian people continue to suffer the consequences of Russia’s military aggression, and the Ukrainian equestrian community continues to be directly affected. Athletes, coaches, officials and horse owners continue their daily lives and their participation in our sport under extraordinarily difficult conditions. Equestrian facilities and clubs have been damaged and destroyed, and horses have been killed and injured.

Against this background, we find it deeply concerning that international equestrian sport should now move further towards normalization of Russian participation. We do not believe that circumstances justify such a change.

For the Nordic-Baltic National Equestrian Federations, solidarity with Ukraine is not merely a statement of sympathy. It is a commitment to stand alongside our Ukrainian colleagues while they continue to live, work, care for their horses and represent their country under the conditions of an ongoing war.

We fully support the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation in its call for the FEI Board to reconsider its decision of 1 September 2026.

We urge the FEI to maintain the protective measures concerning Russian participation for as long as the circumstances that led to their introduction persist.

At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Ukrainian equestrian community – not only through words, but through continued cooperation and practical solidarity wherever possible.

Undersigned National Equestrian Federations of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden.