MADRID, 26 May. (EUROPEAN PRESS) –
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian consulate in Gothenburg and St. He claimed responsibility for the recent closure of the Swedish consulate in St. Petersburg rests “wholly on the Swedish side”, which he accuses of undermining bilateral co-operation.
“The cessation of contacts with Russia, the elimination of cooperation in the fields of science, education, culture, sports and cooperation, including at the level of regions and municipalities, was on the initiative of Sweden,” the spokesperson said. Foreign Affairs Officer, Maria Zajarova.
That’s why Zajarova complains that the work of Russian diplomatic missions in Sweden “continues to be complicated” because Stockholm allows “provocative actions and demonstrations that threaten the safety of Russian workers”, and that it “will happen”, she says. becomes the norm.”
Emphasizing that this diplomatic mission is a “single mission” in the context of “widespread Russian hostility” in the Scandinavian country, Zajarova said, “For decades, the Russian Consulate General in Gothenburg has worked hard to strengthen bilateral relations at the regional level.” said. One of the few factual sources of information about what is happening in Russia”.
On the other hand, Zajarova denounced at a press conference that “big Swedish companies” had ceased their activities on Russian soil due to “unprecedented pressure” not only from Stockholm, but also from the Swedish media, according to the Russian diplomatic portfolio.
Russian diplomatic authorities on Thursday in St. Declaring five diplomats from the Swedish consulate in St. Petersburg as “persona non grata”, it stated that this diplomatic mission and the Russian diplomatic mission in Gothenburg will cease to operate as of September.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom described Moscow’s decision as “sad” and praised the work of the Saint Petersburg consulate for cooperation between Sweden and Russia as “necessary”.
Source: Noti Merica
