Russia Demands Action from Sweden After Paint Attacks

Repeated paint attacks on the Russian trade representation in Lidingö have provoked a strong reaction from Russia. The country has now summoned Sweden's ambassador in Russia.

"We called for comprehensive measures to identify the perpetrators responsible for the ongoing attacks," stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On Saturday night, Russia's trade representation in Lidingö, Stockholm, was subjected to a paint attack. Previously, the Russian embassy in Kungsholmen, central Stockholm, was also targeted.

This prompted the Russian embassy to issue strong criticism over the weekend, questioning whether Swedish authorities "cannot or will not" investigate the incidents.

"Stockholm must realize that Swedish authorities bear full responsibility for the development of this situation," they continued.

Sweden's Charge d'Affaires Summoned

Russia has now taken the next step. On Monday, the country summoned Sweden's charge d'affaires to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow.

"Moscow expressed a strong protest to the Swedish side against another unidentified drone attack," reported the Russian news channel Tass, adding:

"We demanded that Swedish authorities strictly adhere to their obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961 and called for comprehensive measures to identify the perpetrators responsible for the ongoing attacks on Russian foreign institutions in Sweden and bring them to justice."

Swedish Foreign Ministry: "Serious"

In a comment to Expressen, the Swedish Foreign Ministry stated that it takes the vandalism seriously.

"Swedish authorities have an obligation to protect diplomatic missions and diplomatic personnel under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It is serious when an embassy in Sweden is subjected to vandalism."

The Foreign Ministry is aware that Sweden's chargé d'affaires was summoned to a meeting in Moscow but declined to comment on the discussions.