Russian Ships Banned From Amsterdam’s Sail Festival Amid Russian Ivasion of Ukraine

Amsterdam’s iconic Sail Festival will not feature any Russian ships this summer, as organizers cite geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s war against Ukraine, Dutch media At5 reported on March 11.

The Sedov, the world’s largest operational sailing ship, and other Russian tall ships, such as the Kruzenshtern, have been a major attraction in past editions of the maritime festival.

However, this year, they are no longer welcome.

“As a maritime event, we are closely connected to the Royal Netherlands Navy, and we are not blind to what is happening in the world,” said Chris Janssen, spokesperson for Sail Amsterdam.

“At this moment, inviting Russian ships does not feel appropriate. I think people will understand that,” he added.

Sail Amsterdam, held once every five years, is the Netherlands’ largest public event, drawing over 2.3 million visitors in its last edition in 2015.

The 2025 festival, running from August 20 to 24, will feature around 800 invited ships from the Netherlands and abroad, with thousands more expected to join the maritime parade.

Locals in Amsterdam largely support the decision. “Let those ships stay in Russia,” said one woman interviewed by At5.

“What’s happening there is bad enough—we don’t need to give them more attention here,” she added.

One passerby joked that Russia should only be allowed to participate on one condition: “Let Putin climb the mast and fall off,” he laughed.

Earlier, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council voted to extend the ban on Russia and Belarus from the 2025-26 international hockey season.

As a result, neither country will be allowed to compete in IIHF-hosted tournaments, including the World Championship and World Juniors. The suspension, originally imposed following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, remains in effect.