Russia expels 5 Swedish diplomats, rescinds consent to consulate general's work in St. Petersburg - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. May 25 (Interfax) - Russia has declared five Swedish diplomats personae non gratae and ordered that they leave the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Russia has also informed Swedish Ambassador Malena Mard about its decision to close the Russian consulate general in Gothenburg on September 1, 2023, and to rescind consent to the work of the Swedish consulate general in St Petersburg on the same day.

The ministry explained the decision with the declaration of five employees of Russian diplomatic missions to Sweden personae non gratae on April 25, 2023.

"These actions of Swedish authorities have exacerbated bilateral relations even further and brought them to an unprecedentedly low level, in particular, as a result of the never-ending Russophobic campaign in Sweden," the ministry said.

Five Swedish diplomats, including three members of the defense attache's office at the Swedish embassy in Moscow, have been ordered to leave the country within the same period as the one set by Swedish authorities for the departure of Russian employees.