Latvia has barred Russian ice hockey star Alex Ovechkin and International Boxing Association president Umar Kremlev from entering the country. According to Digi24, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže added both men to Latvia’s list of personae non gratae. The restrictions have been imposed for an indefinite period.

In an official notice published by Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government confirmed that the decision was taken under the country’s immigration legislation. The short statement did not set out a detailed public case against either man. However, the announcement came as both were facing renewed attention over their connections to Russian power and politics.

Ovechkin’s political ties return to the spotlight

Ovechkin’s inclusion followed his appearance in an advertisement for United Russia, the governing party closely aligned with President Vladimir Putin. The Washington Capitals captain appeared behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the video, alongside former Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov. Speaking after the advertisement emerged, Ovechkin told the Associated Press: “I’m Russian, and I support my country. I’m for peace and love.”

The 41-year-old has long faced scrutiny over his relationship with Putin. In 2017, he founded a public movement called “Putin Team,” while after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 he called for an end to the fighting but insisted that he was an athlete rather than a politician. Critics have argued that his repeated public support for Putin cannot be separated from Russia’s use of leading athletes as symbols of national power.

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Ovechkin’s status makes the Latvian decision particularly striking. The Russian surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL goals record in April 2025 and remains the league’s career scoring leader, as documented by NHL.com. He is preparing for his 22nd season with the Capitals, although he has not committed to continuing beyond the 2026–27 campaign. The Latvian measure does not affect his eligibility to play in the NHL.

Kremlev’s connection to the Trump family

Kremlev, meanwhile, has attracted international attention over his involvement in the celebrations surrounding Donald Trump Jr.’s marriage to Bettina Anderson. According to an investigation by ProPublica, the Russian businessman covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses connected to the Bahamas festivities. Those expenses reportedly included the rental of a private island, accommodation and a large fireworks display.

Trump Jr. and his wife were married in a private family ceremony on May 22, before the larger celebration took place. In a joint statement quoted by the Associated Press, the couple described Kremlev’s contribution as “an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend.” They rejected suggestions that the gesture carried a political motive and stressed that Kremlev hosted two nights of celebrations after the wedding itself.

Kremlev has led the International Boxing Association since 2020 and has developed a close public relationship with Putin. He received Russia’s Order of Friendship in 2026 and was seen with the Russian president during a visit to China shortly before the Bahamas celebrations. The Ukrainian government has sanctioned Kremlev over his links to Putin and the Russian security establishment, although he does not appear on public United States sanctions lists.

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A controversial figure in international boxing

Kremlev’s leadership has also placed him at the centre of a long-running dispute over the governance of Olympic boxing. In 2023, the International Olympic Committee withdrew its recognition of the IBA after raising concerns about its finances, governance and refereeing systems. According to the IOC’s official decision, the organisation had failed to satisfy the conditions required to retain its status as boxing’s recognised international federation.

Kremlev has nevertheless continued to expand his political and commercial network through boxing. Trump Jr. appeared alongside him at an IBA event in Istanbul in September 2025, where the two discussed the sport’s future and broader cultural issues. Latvia’s decision now places Kremlev and one of Russia’s most famous athletes on the same blacklist, drawing another clear line between international sport and figures regarded as close to the Kremlin.

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