Russia puts Norway on list of "unfriendly countries"

Aug 3, 2023 - 14:17

This image captured from a video shows Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering a national address in Moscow, Russia, June 26, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a national address on Monday urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus. (Photo Courtesy of Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Aug. 3 (Xinhua)

Russia has added Norway to its list of countries classified as "unfriendly," according to a statement published on the government's website on Thursday.

The measure was taken in accordance with an earlier presidential decree on countermeasures to the "unfriendly actions" of certain foreign states, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 23, 2021.

According to the original decree, countermeasures apply to a list of foreign countries committing "unfriendly actions" toward the Russian Federation, citizens or legal entities. These states have either received a cap on the number of locally hired employees or have been completely banned from employing Russian staff at their diplomatic missions.

The diplomatic mission of Norway is now permitted to hire no more than 27 employees in Russia, according to the statement.