Protest against Russian figure skaters: As neutral as Putin

W ith the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union (ISU) has banned Russian figure skaters from international competitions. This season they are allowed back in, although the war is still raging. According to the ISU, they are allowed to compete in international competitions as neutral athletes, without a flag and without an anthem. According to the ISU, only those who do not serve in Russia's military or security organs, who do not belong to an army sports club, who have not been actively involved in actions against Ukraine since February 2022 and who have not publicly supported Russia's position since then should be admitted.

So far, 75 Russian skid artists have received approval. The number seems high, but you have to know that figure skating is extremely popular in Russia. And Putin also adorns himself with the achievements of the figure skaters and abuses them for his propaganda. Many people willingly allow this.

The admitted athletes include Alexandra Ignatova, who became known under her maiden name Trusova for her quadruple jump fireworks and won silver at the 2022 Olympics. The now 22-year-old, who became a mother a year ago and has since held her baby in the cameras for Putin's birth policy, took second place last week at a Challenger competition in Japan. Russian figure skaters won two junior competitions in the season that has just begun. They didn't dominate the only senior international competition with Russian participation in Japan so far, but they showed world-class performances.

The Ukrainian association has protested in an open letter against the admission of Russian athletes. He listed several admitted athletes who, in his opinion, had violated the ISU's neutrality requirement. They either belong to the CSKA Moscow army sports club, have taken part in public propaganda events or have received state medals.

The best-known of the runners mentioned is Kamila Waliyeva, the athlete who gained notoriety during the 2022 Olympic Games as a 15-year-old due to a positive doping result. Her four-year doping ban has now expired. The Ukrainians say that Valiyeva has been training at Tatyana Navka's academy since autumn 2025. Nawka is internationally sanctioned as the wife of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and a propagandist for the Russian regime.

Valiyeva herself diligently took part in propaganda events for the regime and the war. She made her money doing patriotic ice shows. She supported laws to crack down on opposition figures and even sat next to Putin at an event in Kazan in 2024. In Russia, the 20-year-old is nicknamed “Putin’s new lover.” Valiyeva's neutral status was revoked shortly after the letter from Ukraine was published. The ISU did not announce this, but the US news agency AP found out from those close to it. The decision is not final and Valiyeva can appeal.

The ISU also granted and then revoked neutral status for Russian champion Mark Kondratyuk. Kontratyuk was a member of the Russian military's sports company during the war in Ukraine, took an oath in the armed forces and attended a meeting with Putin and then-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

For the ISU, the admission of Russian athletes also has an economic motivation. Because the sport is so popular in Russia, Russian participants guarantee full ice rinks, broadcast rights for Russian TV stations and advertising revenue.