Sweden expels five Russian diplomats

Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it is expelling five Russian diplomats for engaging in activities considered to be incompatible with their diplomatic status.

The Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministry notified Russia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Viktor Tatarintsev, on April 25. The Russian ambassador declined to comment on the developments.

Sweden last expelled Russian diplomats in April 2022 on suspicion of working for Russian intelligence agencies.

On April 13, 2023, Norway expelled 15 Russian diplomats. According to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomats were also reported to be engaging in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status.

On April 22, 2023, Russia announced that it would expel German diplomats in a “reciprocal” response to “Berlin’s hostile actions.” Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeperson Maria Zakharova said that the German authorities expelled more than 20 Russian diplomats.