MFA opposes inviting Russian and Belarusian ambassadors to the Nobel Prize ceremony

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine opposed the invitation of Russian and Belarusian ambassadors to the Nobel Prize ceremony, writes the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleh Nikolenko.

"The Nobel Foundation decided to resume the practice of inviting the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus to the Nobel Prize ceremony. The decision is motivated by the Foundation's desire to justify its values even to the states that oppose them. To prove the value of humanism to Russia and Belarus is a Sisyphean task. An effort that will yield no result," said Nikolenko.

Nikolenko stressed that, most likely, on the day when the Russian ambassador sits in the Stockholm concert hall in a nice suit, the Russian army will be committing another war crime in Ukraine's occupied territories, and Russian missiles will be ruining another residential quarter in a Ukrainian city.

The MFA spokesman pointed out that last year the Nobel Foundation did not invite Russian and Belarusian ambassadors in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

As IMI reported, Russia, Belarus and Iran have been invited to the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm. The Nobel Foundation stated that they strive to attract even those who do not share the values of the Nobel Prize.

The Nobel Banquet is one of the mandatory events of the Nobel Prize award, a solemn dinner attended by the royal family and about 1,300 guests.

As IMI reported, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Ukrainian human rights organization "Civil Liberties Center", the Belarusian human rights activist Ales Bialiatski, and the Russian human rights organization "Memorial".

The Nobel Committee explained that the laureates represented their respective countries' civil society.

"They have for many years promoted the right to criticize the government and defended their fellow citizens' basic rights. They have made significant efforts to document war crimes, human rights violations, and abuse of power. Together, they demonstrate the importance of civil society for peace and democracy," the Committee said.

The award was presented in the capital of Norway, Oslo, on December 10, on International Human Rights Day.