Moscow angry with Norwegian consul for saying “I hate Russians”

The Russian Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized the “outrageous” behavior of a Norwegian consul in Russia. “I hate the Russians,” Elisabeth Ellingsen, Norway’s envoy to Murmansk, said in footage shot at a hotel in the Russian city.

The woman was very displeased that her room had not been cleaned properly and she had to switch rooms. She also complained about problems a colleague was having with her hotel room. “You guys are screwing everything up, it’s a shame,” she said at the reception desk, then snapped some other expletives at the desk clerks.

The images from the surveillance camera were distributed via Telegram. The video had been viewed more than half a million times on Saturday afternoon.

Moscow is considering a response to “this outrageous act of hatred, nationalism and xenophobia,” the foreign ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo said it deeply regretted the incident. “The sentiments expressed do not reflect Norwegian policies or attitudes towards Russia and the Russian people.”

The Norwegian Consulate General in Murmansk has been temporarily closed since July 1 due to the “difficult” situation in relations. It is unclear when the incident took place.

By Editor

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