Russia expels Swedish diplomats and closes consulate general

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported this in a statement.

Russia summoned Swedish Ambassador to Russia Malena Mard and informed her that, given Sweden's confrontational course towards Russia, the Russian side had decided to terminate the activities of the Russian Consulate General in the Swedish city of Gothenburg on 1 September. Russia has also decided to withdraw its consent to the activities of the Consulate General of Sweden in St Petersburg.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the expulsion of five staff members of the Russian Embassy in Stockholm an "openly hostile step" on the part of Stockholm.

"These actions of the Swedish authorities have further deteriorated the situation in bilateral relations, which have reached an unprecedented low level, including as a result of the ongoing Russophobic campaign in Sweden," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

In addition, Russia has declared five Swedish diplomats persona non grata, including three members of the Defence Attaché's staff at the Swedish Embassy in Moscow. They were ordered to leave Russia "within the same timeframe as the Swedish authorities have set for the departure of our staff".

• On Saturday, 22 April 2023, Berlin decided to expel Russian diplomats en masse.