Decision clearing path for Russia to join world juniors in Alberta is 'very unwelcome,' minister says

Canada's foreign affairs minister says the decision to let Russia back into the ice hockey world championships came as a "great disappointment" on Friday, as the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine stretches toward its fifth year.

Minister Anita Anand said the Canadian government is still assessing the ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but said she was "not comfortable" with potentially allowing a Russian team to attend 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."

'Focus on the substance' of Canada and EU's partnership, not the name: Anand

Russia is back in the hockey world championships after sports court ruling

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cleared the path on Friday for Russia to return to the ice hockey world championships, overturning an exclusion in place since the country invaded Ukraine in early 2022. 

The court's ruling overturned International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decisions, which had banned Russia and Belarus from international tournaments since Feb. 28, 2022. The federation, while disappointed with the decision, said on Friday it would "act in accordance" with the ruling.

This year's world juniors are scheduled for Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027, in Alberta in Red Deer and Edmonton.

Also on Friday, the United States cancelled a traditional group photo the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta after several European officials threatened to boycott the picture over the inclusion of Russian Foreign Minister