Sweden Expels Five Russian Diplomats for Incompatible Activities

(MENAFN) Sweden has expelled five Russian diplomats for carrying out activities that are “inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic Relations.” The Swedish Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s Ambassador to Stockholm Viktor Tatarintsev to inform him about the expulsion of the diplomats at the Russian Embassy in Sweden. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that their activities on Swedish territory have been incompatible with their status as diplomats. Last year, three Russian diplomats were also expelled from Sweden in response to Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Norway expelled 15 Russian officials accusing them of spying under diplomatic cover. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt stated that Norway will not allow Moscow to use its embassy to carry out "covert intelligence activities". The expulsions come amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western countries over a range of issues, including Moscow’s military intervention in Ukraine and allegations of Russian interference in Western democracies.

Swedish security services SAPO previously claimed that every third Russian diplomat is a Russian intelligence officer, according to the SVT Nyheter. Daniel Stenling, head of the SAPO’s counterintelligence, was quoted as saying by the broadcaster that these are state-employed individuals who have assignments to gather information and influence a country in a direction they want. The expulsions of Russian diplomats and officials reflect the growing concerns of Western countries about the activities of Russian intelligence services and their efforts to influence foreign governments.

The expulsions are likely to further strain relations between Russia and the West, which have been deteriorating in recent years. Western countries have accused Russia of a range of aggressive actions, including cyber attacks, election interference, and the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK. Russia has denied the allegations and accused Western countries of attempting to encircle and destabilize Russia. The expulsions of Russian diplomats and officials are part of a broader effort by Western countries to push back against Russia’s actions and protect their national security.

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