Ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran were invited only to the Nobel Prize ceremony, not to the banquet

Director General of the Nobel Foundation Vidar Helgesen explained that the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, and Iran had been invited only to the Nobel Prize ceremony in the Concert Hall but not to the subsequent festivities in the Blue Hall.

He told this in an interview with Aftonbladet.

Earlier, the Nobel Foundation invited the ambassadors of all countries that have diplomatic missions in Sweden and Norway to the award ceremony. Among them are Russia, Belarus and Iran.

In Sweden, the invitation of the ambassadors has aroused strong criticism and caused several party leaders to drop out of the festivities. 

"The information came to me last night, and I reacted quite sharply... I would not have invited Russia if I were in charge of the award ceremony now," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Vidar Helgesen explained that the ambassadors of these countries were not invited to the banquet, which, in his opinion, has more pomp.

"Our role is not to act as a diplomatic or political actor. We are representatives of the Nobel Prize, and it is achievements that are rewarded that should be in focus. And that presupposes an exchange and dialogue between people," Helgesen said.

When asked whether it would be appropriate to invite the Ambassador of Ukraine, he said that it could be done, but the foundation has not yet determined the list of guests for this year.