In tit-for-tat, Russia expels five Swedish diplomats; closes consulate in Sweden
Consulate General of Russia in Gothenburg, Sweden (Photo:Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Gothenburg)
In a retaliatory move, Russia has decided to close its Consulate General in Sweden and declare five Swedish diplomats persona non grata, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on May 25.
Swedish Ambassador to Russia, Malena Mard, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on May 25 and informed that, given Sweden’s confrontational course towards Russia, it was decided to suspend the activity of the Russian Consulate General in Gothenburg.
At the same time, the head of the Swedish mission was informed that the Russian party was revoking its consent for the activity of the Swedish Consulate-General in St Petersburg from Sept. 1, 2023, the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
“Five employees of Russian diplomatic missions in Sweden were declared personae non grata on April 25, 2023, in what has been considered an openly hostile measure by Stockholm,” the Russian diplomats said.
Sweden had previously announced the expulsion of five Russian diplomats for espionage.
“These actions by the Swedish authorities have further aggravated bilateral relations, which have reached an unprecedently low level, including as a result of the ongoing Russophobic campaign in Sweden.”
Russian diplomats contend that the Swedish Ambassador was told that the Russian party has decided to declare five Swedish diplomats personae non grata, including three employees under the military attaché at the Swedish Embassy in Moscow. They were instructed to leave Russia within the same time period that was given to Russia’s employees by the Swedish authorities.
Sweden is expelling five Russian diplomats who are suspected of spying for the Kremlin, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said on April 25.
Norway declared 15 employees of the Russian Embassy persona non grata on April 13 due to espionage activities under diplomatic cover.
Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Macedonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia also announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats.
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