STOCKHOLM: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Friday he disagreed with the Nobel Foundation inviting the Russian envoy to this year’s Nobel banquet, adding to rising criticism of the decision.
In a statement, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, “The Nobel Foundation, of course, decides who they wish to invite”. The PM said, “But like many others, I was surprised that the Russian envoy was being invited”. Ulf Kristersson maintained that it upsets many in Sweden and Ukraine.
Russian Envoy Invite to Nobel Prize Ceremony Draws Fury
Earlier, the Nobel Foundation — which organizes the annual prize ceremony in Stockholm — said it would invite all ambassadors of countries based in Sweden and Norway.
In 2022, the Nobel Foundation did not invite the Russian and Belarusian envoys over the conflict in Ukraine and the Iranian ambassador over the country’s crackdown on protests.
In a statement, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation Vidar Helgesen said that it was clear that the world was increasingly divided into spheres, where talks between those with differing views were being reduced.
Vidar Helgesen added to prevent this tendency, they were now broadening their invitations to celebrate and understand the Nobel Prize.
Several key Swedish politicians have warned they would boycott the ceremony due to Russia’s invitation.
The celebration is held each year in Stockholm on December 10 when laureates in the fields of physics, medicine, literature, economics and chemistry receive their awards from King Carl XVI Gustaf, followed by a gala banquet for about 1,200 guests.
