Definitely not big in the world scale, but the Finnish BJJ Federation made a statement and banned Russian & Belarus teams and athletes from competing in the Finnish Open events last year.

Also FBJJF is not a business, but a non-profit sports organization...

The Russian-Ukrainian Conflict is a complicated matter and not a complete failure by Nato for not keeping with their resolutions in the 1990s. Despite the aforementioned, banning both Russian and Belarusian National Teams without banning Ukrainian Teams would be inconsistent. However, banning any individual athlete from either Russia or Belarus is against the spirit of BJJ and sport at large. In the 21st century, numerous athletes live abroad from their home countries but still retain their original citizenship. If these athletes are banned from competing simply for being Russians or Belarusians, then these steps are against the principles of natural justice and should be condemned by our community.

(Any conflict is a failure of the system. The above conflict is once again the elites pitting ordinary people against each other. The elites are benefitting at the expense of common folk.)

The conflict isn't that complex. The events leading up to it are not black and white, but the events from Feb 24th 2022 on are not complicated at all. There is only one antagonist and one protagonist since then, In my opinion from thousands of miles away.

Adrian, I think it has hardly been a case of discussion of banning individual athlete's based on nationality.

It's about limiting their option of representing active aggressors against sovereign country.

Do not put the blame on NATO. 1990 "promise" was to USSR leadership - an entity that ceased to exist.

Entry of Eastern European countries into NATO was from self-determination of those nation states that had been illegitimately occupied by USSR.

Well, no. There are heavy reasons why pretty much all nations in the western world are supporting Ukraine, supplying military aid to them, while boycotting Russia and condemning their acts.

Also, a reminder that the forum rules state "no political discussions", so let's leave at this please, unless directly related to BJJ. :)

And Finnish Federation's ruling, for example, doesn't ban Russians living in Finland from competing. Only athletes representing Russian teams. Russian citizenship is not an issue.

Another aspect is the continued presence of many of the large teams in Russia, which indirectly finance Russia's actions in Ukraine through tax payments (even if the teams are more like franchises). As Brazil has had quite close ties with Russia, I guess that might explain why many Brazilians don't view it as that problematic. The teams structure is also not democratic but very hierarchic - after all, I think all(?) teams are run like commercial enterprises with a few key persons on top. Which also makes it very difficult and sensitive to push in any direction without stepping on toes and affecting relations.

I would suspect I'm not alone in actively and outspokenly boycotting big companies still active in Russia but still not distancing from a team still active in Russia. Not that I have very active relations (especially not commercial) with the team from which I have my lineage (so I really wouldn't, shouldn't have much of a say anyways), but I still consider it my extended BJJ family.

How do you feel who have more active relations with a team still active in Russia? Is it even a topic you feel comfortable discussing openly?

It's an awkward position anyway you look at it. It's hard to separate Russians from Russia. Look, my government has thrown its weight around and outright lied in order to justify an illegal war. I took to the streets in protest in a way the Russians can't. Having said that, was Russia has done is beyond the pale and should be shunned by the western world.

Let's avoid this turning into a debate about anything else than BJJ, otherwise we'll likely lock the topic 🙂

I don't think most people can avoid going into the politics of this situation or voicing their beliefs.