Moscow said on Thursday that a Norwegian consul could no longer stay in Russia after she was filmed declaring “I hate Russians” during a tantrum at a hotel reception.
“After what happened, Elizabeth Ellingson’s presence in Russia is impossible,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, the Foreign Ministry summoned Norwegian ambassador Rone Risland and protested Ellingson’s “insulting Russophobic remarks”.
A Norwegian diplomat was recorded insulting Russians at a hotel reception in the Arctic city of Murmansk.
The video was posted over the weekend by the Mash Telegram channel, known to be close to Russian security services, and caused an uproar in the country.
“I hate Russians… just give me a room… I’m used to cleaning rooms, I’m from Scandinavia,” Ellingsen was recorded saying in English.
Ellingson’s outburst comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to European and US sanctions against Moscow.
Norway’s foreign ministry said over the weekend that it “deeply regrets” the incident.
“The sentiments expressed do not reflect Norwegian policy or Norway’s attitude towards Russia,” the foreign ministry said.
On Thursday, Moscow said it had taken note of the Norwegian foreign ministry’s statement.
A spokesman for Norway’s foreign ministry, Gori Solberg, said Thursday that the country’s ambassador had been informed that Moscow had revoked Ellingson’s visa.
The ambassador reiterated that the consul’s statements “do not reflect Norwegian policy,” Solberg said, adding that Ellingsen was not in Russia at the time.
Norway said in June it was temporarily closing its consulate general in Murmansk.
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