The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation announced its response to Sweden's decision to expel five employees of the Russian embassy.
This is stated in the notification of the department.
In particular, on May 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador of Sweden, who was told that in response to Stockholm's expulsion of Russian diplomats, Moscow decided to terminate the activities of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Gothenburg from September 1, 2023.
"At the same time, the head of the Swedish diplomatic mission was informed about the withdrawal by the Russian side from September 1, 2023 of its consent to the activities of the Consulate General of Sweden in St. Petersburg," the message reads.
Moscow calls the April 25 announcement of five employees of Russia's foreign institutions in Sweden as persona non grata an openly hostile step.
"These actions of the Swedish authorities have further worsened the situation in bilateral relations, which have reached an unprecedentedly low level, in particular as a result of the continuous Russophobic campaign in Sweden," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.
In response, Russia decided to declare five Swedish diplomats "persona non grata", including three employees of the defense attaché at the Swedish Embassy in Moscow.
"They were ordered to leave the Russian Federation within the same time limits set by the Swedish authorities for the departure of our employees," the message reads.
