Moscow closes Swedish Consulate General in St. Petersburg, expels 5 diplomats

Russian diplomacy announced Thursday to close from September 1 the Swedish Consulate General in Saint Petersburg and that of Russia in Gothenburg, Sweden, in response to the “policy of confrontation” led by Stockholm.

Swedish Ambassador Malena Mard was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday to be notified of this decision, Russian diplomacy said in a statement.

Moscow also announced the expulsion of five Swedish diplomats in response to a similar measure taken in April against Russian diplomats.

“The Russian side has decided – as a response measure – to declare ‘persona non grata’ five Swedish diplomats, including three subordinates to the Defense Attaché at the Swedish Embassy in Moscow,” the statement said. .

Sweden announced in late April that it was expelling five Russian diplomats for “activities incompatible” with their diplomatic status.

“These actions by the Swedish authorities have only worsened the state of bilateral relations, which have deteriorated to an unprecedented level, in particular due to an incessant Russophobic campaign in Sweden,” Russian diplomacy said Thursday.

Sweden is a candidate for NATO, a decision taken in the wake of the Russian assault on Ukraine.

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