The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has stripped Estonia of the right to host the European Championships due to the lack of guarantees for Russian and Belarusian athletes. Aivar Paalberg, Secretary General of the Estonian Fencing Union, told the newspaper Ohtuleht this.

Estonia was awarded the right to host the 2024 European Championships, which were originally scheduled to take place in Tallinn. Mr. Paalberg stated that the decision to postpone the competition was made on January 14, but the Estonian side was only notified today. The competition will be hosted by Antony, France. The European Championships will be held from June 16 to 21.

In November 2025, the FIE announced that it would postpone or cancel competitions if athletes were denied entry based on their nationality. Mr. Paalberg had previously stated that the FIE had demanded written guarantees from the authorities for the admission of fencers from Russia and Belarus. Raido Mitt, Vice-Chancellor for Sport at the Ministry of Culture, stated that Estonia would not issue visas to athletes from these countries.

In March 2022, Russian fencers were banned from participating in international tournaments held under the auspices of the FIE. In March 2025, the organization sanctioned the participation of Russian juniors as neutral athletes, and in May, adult athletes were also allowed to compete. At the end of last year, the FIE, in accordance with recommendations from the International Olympic Committee, allowed Russians and Belarusians to compete in junior competitions under national symbols.