00:00 The Nobel Foundation has reportedly invited a Russian ambassador to attend its banquet.
00:06 On Friday, Sweden's prime minister said that he disagreed with the Nobel Foundation
00:10 inviting the Russian ambassador to this year's Nobel banquet, adding to growing criticism
00:15 of the decision.
00:16 Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson issued a written statement.
00:19 It said, "The Nobel Foundation, of course, decides who they want to invite.
00:24 But like many others, I was greatly surprised that Russia was being invited.
00:28 I would not have done it if I were handling invites to an awards ceremony, and I understand
00:33 that it upsets many people in both Sweden and Ukraine," said PM Kristersson.
00:39 On Thursday, the Nobel Foundation, which organises the annual Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet
00:44 in Stockholm, said that it would extend an invitation to all ambassadors of countries
00:48 that have representation in Sweden or Norway.
00:51 In 2022, the foundation decided not to invite the Russian and Belarusian ambassadors over
00:57 the war in Ukraine, and the Iranian envoy over the countries cracked down on a wave
01:02 of protests.
01:03 The executive director of the Nobel Foundation, Vidar Helgeson, said that it was clear that
01:08 the world is increasingly divided into spheres where dialogue between those with differing
01:12 views is being reduced.
01:14 He said that to counter this tendency, the Nobel Foundation is now broadening its invitations
01:19 to celebrate and understand the Nobel Prize and the importance of free science, free culture
01:24 and free, peaceful societies.
01:27 Several prominent Swedish politicians, including the leaders of the Centre, Green and Left
01:31 parties, have said that they would boycott the event due to Russia's invitation.
01:36 The ostentatious gathering is held each year in Stockholm on December 10 when laureates
01:42 in the fields of medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics receive their awards
01:47 from King Carl XVI Gustav, followed by a gala banquet for around 1,200 guests.
01:54 A separate ceremony is also held in Oslo on the same day for the Peace Prize laureate.
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