At the request of the Norwegian authorities, Russia has been forced to reduce its staff at the embassy in Norway.
The announcement came this week and according to the embassy, the consular services in the country will be limited as a result of the decision, a total of two Russian ambassadors will remain working in Norway.
“In this situation, the embassy is taking measures to maintain consular receptions for all types of services,” the embassy writes on social media.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has confirmed the information
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the information about the reduction in the number of Russian diplomats for VG.
“The Foreign Ministry can confirm that over time we have had a dialogue with the Russian side to ensure the diplomatic presence in both countries. It is not about the expulsion of diplomats from Norway,” wrote press spokesperson Ragnhild H. Simenstad in an email to VG.
However, Russian diplomats have been expelled from Norway on previous occasions.
In April last year, 15 diplomats were expelled. At the time, the Norwegian security police, PST, believed that they were actually Russian intelligence agents operating under diplomatic cover. Before the expulsions, Russia had 40 diplomats in the country.
Russia: “Our response will be felt”
The Russian embassy states that it has received demands to implement the reduction in the number of diplomats by Wednesday at the latest, something which should have already been implemented.
“The Russian embassies abroad in Norway have made a reduction in diplomats and consular officials following demands from the Norwegian side,” the embassy writes in an email to VG.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now responded to the Norwegian decision, which they believe will have consequences.
– We will take this unfriendly move into account when we draw up our future lines towards Norway. We promise that our response will be tangible, says Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Will have continued dialogue with Russia
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells Reuters that there will be a continued dialogue with Russia, to be able to make sure that the diplomatic relations are maintained. According to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry
According to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, it is in Norway’s interest to maintain the dialogue, which has, however, deteriorated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.