Moscow declared on Thursday that a Norwegian consul who was caught on camera saying “I detest Russians” during an irate outburst at a hotel reception is no longer allowed to reside in the country.
Elisabeth Ellingsen’s presence in Russia is untenable following what transpired, the foreign ministry declared in a statement.
The foreign ministry had called the Norwegian ambassador, Rune Resaland, earlier in the day to express their displeasure with Ellingsen’s “insulting Russophobic remarks.”
At a hotel reception in the Arctic city of Murmansk, the Norwegian ambassador was captured on camera disparaging Russians.
An uproar spread throughout the nation after the video was published over the weekend by the Mash Telegram channel, which is thought to be affiliated with Russia’s intelligence agencies.
“I detest Russians. Give me a room, please. I’m from Scandinavia, therefore I’m used to cleaning rooms “In English, Ellingsen was quoted as stating.
The West and Russia are currently at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to a number of U.S. and European sanctions against Moscow. Ellingsen’s outburst coincides with this.
Over the weekend, the Norwegian foreign ministry expressed its “deep remorse” over the event.
The foreign ministry stated that “the comments expressed do not reflect Norwegian policy or the Norwegian approach toward Russia.”
Moscow declared on Thursday that it has noted the statement made by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.
Guri Solberg, a spokesperson for the Norwegian foreign ministry, claimed on Thursday that Moscow had informed the ambassador of the country that Ellingsen’s visa had been withdrawn.
According to Solberg, the ambassador reiterating that the words made by the consul “do not reflect Norwegian policy,” Ellingsen wasn’t at the time in Russia.
Norway announced in June that it will be closing its general consulate in Murmansk temporarily.