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The Nobel Foundation\u2019s decision to invite Russian ambassadors to this year\u2019s Nobel Prize award ceremonies triggered fierce criticism from Swedish and Ukrainian politicians.<\/p>\n

The Nobel Foundation announced<\/a> Thursday it would invite ambassadors from all countries that are diplomatically represented in Sweden and Norway, where award ceremonies are to be held in December. This includes Russia and Belarus, which last year were excluded<\/a> following Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation Vidar Helgesen said in a statement that this decision was made to counter a tendency in which \u201cdialogue between those with differing views is being reduced.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the announcement sparked strong reactions in Sweden, with many politicians announcing they would boycott the event. Center Party leader Muharrem Demirok<\/a>, Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar<\/a> and Green Party co-spokesperson M\u00e4rta Stenevi<\/a> all announced on X, formerly Twitter, they would not attend the ceremonies.<\/p>\n

Johan\u00a0Pehrson, leader of the Liberal Party, said<\/a> he \u201cwill not sit and toast the Russian ambassador while Putin\u2019s disgusting and bloody war of aggression continues in Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reportedly<\/a> said he was \u201cgreatly surprised\u201d to see Russia invited and he would not have made the same decision.<\/p>\n

Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ukraine\u2019s ambassador to Sweden, also criticized<\/a> the Nobel Foundation\u2019s announcement, urging the foundation to reconsider their decision, while Oleg\u00a0Nikolenko, a spokesman for Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry, said<\/a> the decision will likely increase the Kremlin\u2019s \u201csense of impunity and new crimes\u201d and asked the Nobel Foundation to \u201csupport international efforts to isolate Russia and Belarus.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n