Norway Expels 15 Intelligence Officers Impersonating Diplomatic Officers At Russian Embassy
JAKARTA - Norway expelled 15 Russian Embassy officials the Foreign Ministry said Thursday, intelligence officers operating under the guise of diplomatic positions, the latest expulsion by a Western country since Moscow invaded Ukraine.
The Russian Embassy in Oslo told Reuters Norway's decision was "another very hostile move, which will receive a response," as reported on April 14.
About 40 Russian diplomats are currently accredited in Oslo, bringing the number of expulsions to more than a third of their number.
It is the latest example of a Western nation expelling Russian diplomats since Moscow launched a full-scale war against Ukraine last year. Previously, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Austria also expelled Russian diplomats this year.
Prior to the expulsion of these 15 diplomats, Norway previously expelled three Russians in April 2022.
"Their activities pose a threat to Norway," Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt told a news conference.
"We have been following their activities from time to time. They have increased since the invasion of Ukraine," he continued.
The officer concerned must leave Norway immediately, he added.
Separately, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow would respond to the expulsions, state-run TASS news agency reported, without elaborating.
Norway, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military alliance, shares a border with Russia at the North Pole.
The expulsion could further complicate the process of transferring leadership of the Arctic Council, a multilateral body where Arctic nations discuss issues affecting the polar region.
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Moscow currently holds the lead, but Norway will take over on May 11 and Oslo has said it will prioritize a smooth transition.
Huitfeldt said it was too early to say whether the expulsion would affect the Arctic Council transition.
The Nordic country is still trying to maintain normal diplomatic relations with Russia, and Russian diplomats are welcome in Norway, Huitfeldt said.