SVT’s Mission review has revealed that in Sweden there are at least 21 suspected Russian spies in Sweden, of which 13 are still active. Several of them work at the Russian Embassy in Sweden.
Expels Swedish diplomats
Swedish governments have long known about Russia’s intelligence activities, and on Tuesday the government decided to expel five Russian diplomats from Sweden.
According to SvD commented Gatilov Gennady, Russia’s former deputy foreign minister, on the announcement of the expulsion of the Russian diplomats on Wednesday.
– We will respond by expelling your diplomats, he said at a meeting at the Russian UN delegation in Geneva.
How many Swedish diplomats may be expelled is unclear. But after Norway expelled 15 Russian diplomats, Russia responded with a “retaliatory action” and expelled 10 Norwegian diplomats.
Few Swedish diplomats
According to Martin Kragh, Russia researcher at the Urikespolitika Institute, expulsions of Swedish diplomats can create a problem for Sweden. Just like many smaller countries, Sweden has significantly lower staffing at its embassies than Russia has.
– This means that when you answer with reciprocal answers – i.e. equivalent – it affects a country like Sweden much more. And that must be included in the assessment when choosing how many to deport, he says Current.
– We must be able to continue to have diplomatic activities in Russia.
Whether this is a motive for the Swedish government choosing to expel only five Russian diplomats is a discussion for the government, according to Kragh.
– But there are the kind of pragmatic considerations that can come into play, he says.