Russia expels five Swedish diplomats, says ties at "unprecedented low"

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was responding to the expulsion of five of its diplomatic staff from Sweden last month, which it called an "openly hostile step". Relations between the two countries have worsened since Sweden last year announced its intention to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia said on Thursday it would expel five Swedish diplomats in what it said was a retaliatory measure for Sweden's "confrontational course" in relations with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was responding to the expulsion of five of its diplomatic staff from Sweden last month, which it called an "openly hostile step".

Relations between the two countries have worsened since Sweden last year announced its intention to join NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian statement said ties had "reached an unprecedented low".