He added he will not let "political pressure" affect the decisions of the organisation over the inclusion of players.

Tardif's visit was seen as significant in the ice hockey community, with Finnish politicians opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, suggesting the construction of a border wall between the countries and applying to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Speaking to Finnish publication Ilta Sanomat in Helsinki, Tardif said it was not impossible to see a return from the countries during the war, but several complications would make this difficult.

"The return of Russia and Belarus to IIHF competitions would mean that the war is over," he said to Ilta Sanomat.

"When the war is over, the discussions will definitely be different.

"I wouldn't say impossible, but I don't know how it would be possible. 

"Travelling in the current situation is difficult. 

"When the war is on, players from Russia and Belarus cannot travel."

He also stressed morality would not be a factor in the decision-making process.

"As a person I have my own ideas about the situation, but as the IIHF President I have to make decisions from a different angle, but we don't want to hide either.

"We always make decisions with the safety of the players first - including players from Russia and Belarus. 

"We want to guarantee the safety of players, staff and the public. 

"This is how we will operate in the future as well.

"We don't let political pressure affect our decisions. 

"We have to make decisions outside of moral issues. 

"We organise hockey events, we don't solve the world's problems."

Tardif admitted there has been pressure to readmit the countries, particularly Russia, who has been a men's powerhouse on the ice for decades.

Russia, under the neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia moniker at Pyeongchang 2018, won the gold medal.

Previously as part of the Soviet Union, Russia won seven gold medals.

"We do not accept political pressure - political pressure, from whatever direction, is part of this. 

"We will also face pressure from the IOC [International Olympic Committee]. 

"We have to make decisions regardless of the pressure and think about what is best for the sport."

The IOC has suggested athletes from the countries could come back into international competition, with the organisation open  to exploring pathways to allow this to happen.