Norway has expelled 15 Russian diplomats from the country, accusing them of engaging in espionage while working at the Russian Embassy in Oslo, according to Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. The move was taken to “counter and reduce the scope of Russian intelligence activities in Norway,” Huitfeldt said, adding that the expelled diplomats were “persona non grata” and must leave Norway within a short period.
She also stated that Norway wants to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Russia and that Russian diplomats are welcome in the country but that those engaged in intelligence activities would not be granted visas.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it will respond in kind to Norway’s action. This comes a year after Norway expelled three Russian diplomats it identified as intelligence officers and after the arrest of a man alleged to have worked for one of Russia’s intelligence services.
