International Ice Hockey Federation president Luc Tardif has called for Russia and Belarus to return to international competition "as soon as possible" during the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The national teams have been banned since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, preventing them from competing in major tournaments.

Tardif, 72, who was elected IIHF president in 2021, acknowledged the difficulty of separating politics from sports but emphasized the federation's desire to reunite the hockey community. "We follow the recommendation of the IOC," he stated, adding that steps are already being taken to allow under-18 teams from both nations to return to competition.

The ban has significantly impacted international hockey, with Russia having won gold in men's ice hockey at the 2018 Winter Olympics as Olympic Athletes from Russia and silver in 2022 as the Russian Olympic Committee. Tardif believes their return would strengthen the World Championships, though he stressed that security concerns and timing remain critical factors in any potential reinstatement.