Nobel Foundation rescinds invitation to Russia, Belarus, and Iran for ceremonies

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Nobel Foundation has withdrawn its invitation for representatives of Russia, Belarus, and Iran to attend this year's Nobel Prize award ceremonies. This decision comes after the announcement provoked strong reactions. Several Swedish lawmakers have announced their boycott of the award ceremonies in Stockholm in response to the foundation's change in position from the previous year.

The foundation had invited representatives of the three countries, stating that it promotes opportunities to convey the important messages of the Nobel Prize to everyone. However, some lawmakers cited Russia's war on Ukraine and the crackdown on human rights in Iran as reasons for their boycott. Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya urged the foundation not to invite representatives of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's "illegitimate regime to any events."

On the other hand, Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the Nobel Foundation's decision, considering it a clear sign of solidarity with the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko described the decision as a victory for humanism and expressed gratitude to those who demanded justice be restored.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who had previously stated that he would not have allowed the three countries to participate in the award ceremonies, also expressed satisfaction with the decision. He emphasized that the strong reactions from Sweden demonstrated the country's unwavering support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression.

The foundation acknowledged the overwhelming reactions in Sweden and announced that it would not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus, and Iran to the award ceremony in Stockholm. However, it will follow its usual practice and invite all ambassadors to the ceremony in Oslo, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.

The announcement received widespread praise in Sweden, including from politicians and even the Swedish Royal House. The spokesperson for the royal house stated that they viewed the change in decision as positive and confirmed that King Carl XVI Gustaf would continue to hand out the Nobel awards at ceremonies in Stockholm.

The Nobel prize winners for this year will be announced in early October, and the laureates will be invited to receive their awards at glittering prize ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.

FutureCar Staff