Iceland suspends embassy operations in Moscow from August 1

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland will suspend operations of the Embassy of Iceland in Moscow from August 1st. Iceland has requested that Russia limit the operations of its Embassy in Reykjavík and that the level of diplomatic representation be lowered.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that commercial, cultural and political relations with Russia are currently at their lowest level. Therefore, it is no longer justified to keep the Icelandic embassy in Moscow open.

The Ministry said that the decision to suspend the work of the Icelandic Embassy in Moscow is not a severance of diplomatic relations.

"This is not an easy decision. but the current situation makes it impossible for Iceland's small diplomatic mission to operate an embassy in Russia. However, the current situation simply does not make it viable for the small foreign service of Iceland to operate an embassy in Russia. I hope that conditions will someday allow for us to have normal and fruitful relations with Russia, but that depends on decisions taken by the Kremlin," commented Icelandic Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir.

Photo: Government of Iceland