Home Awareness Iceland Closes Embassy Amid Ukraine War
Awareness

Iceland Closes Embassy Amid Ukraine War

Iceland closed its embassy in Moscow on Tuesday August 1 due to the conflict in Ukraine, becoming the first European country to take such a step. In early June, Icelandic Foreign Minister Thórdís Gylfadóttir had judged that “the current situation” did not allow the small diplomatic representation “to operate in Russia”.

The small Nordic country is the first in Europe to take such a step since the start of the war in Ukraine. Reykjavik would like to make it clear that this is not a severance of diplomatic relations.

Representation provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“As soon as conditions permit, Iceland will give priority to the resumption of the activities of the Icelandic embassy in Moscow,” said Icelandic diplomacy on Tuesday August 1 in a press release. Representation will now be provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Reykjavik. The day after the Icelandic announcement in June, Moscow had denounced an “anti-Russian action” and promised to respond.

“We will take this unfriendly decision into account when establishing our relations with Iceland in the future,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The Nordic country of 375,000 inhabitants had an embassy in Moscow since 1944, except during the period 1951-53. Iceland had been a symbolic meeting place for East and West at the end of the Cold War, with a summit in 1986 between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet head of state Mikhail Gorbachev.

This article is originally published on lefigaro.fr

Related Articles

Awareness

One Million Europeans Urge EU Ban on Conversion Therapy

On May 17, 2025, the International Day Against Homophobia, more than one...

Awareness

Samsung Showcases Auracast Audio at St Paul’s for Accessibility Awareness

Samsung Electronics marked Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025 with a powerful message...

Awareness

Turkish Public Awareness of PKK Disbandment Low, Survey Reveals

A recent survey has revealed that the Turkish public’s awareness of the...

Awareness

EU and Critical Mahmood Unite to Spark Clean Energy Awareness in Bangladesh

In an innovative blend of music, advocacy, and international cooperation, the European...