"It is clear that war crimes have been committed by Russia in Ukraine," Foreign Minister Ann Linde said at a press conference, announcing that Russia's ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry to receive Sweden and the EU's "strong condemnation."

Several countries have decided to expel Russian diplomats after, among other things, civilians were killed and mass graves were found in the Ukrainian city of Butja, which had been besieged by Russia.

At Tuesday's press conference, news also came from Sweden.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has today decided to expel three Russian diplomats who do not work in Sweden in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, says Linde and notes that the security police together with other authorities in the total defense have seen a broader and increased threat from foreign powers - especially from Russia.

- The threat picture is both military and civilian and is directed at Sweden's economic, political decision-making fundamental, free and rights and our terrorist integrity.

"It is not an easy thing to expel diplomats"

According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, there are a total of 35 Russian diplomats in Sweden, and according to the Security Police's assessment, every third of them conducts intelligence activities.

However, Säpo does not want to comment on an exact number.

Why Sweden does not expel more than three diplomats justifies Linde that it leads to consequences.

- It is not an easy thing to expel diplomats and it always has consequences even at our own embassy and our own consulate general, we must always weigh our own interests against the fact that we now consider it necessary to deport some.

But that does not in any way rule out the possibility that we may deport more people who do not comply with the Vienna Convention.

The three diplomats who will now be deported motivate Linde by saying that "it is quite clear that they are conducting illegal intelligence activities in Sweden."

Russia researcher: "It has become a normal situation"

According to Russia researcher Martin Kragh, it is already known how Russia will receive the message.

- We know how the Russian side will respond.

They will expel Swedish diplomats, in the same way as other European diplomats are expelled.

We have been through this several times before in recent years.

It has become part of a normal situation, says Kragh.

- But there is a problem.

Russia has a disproportionate number of diplomats in Europe than European countries in Russia.

If the Swedish embassy loses a diplomat, it will affect a lot because it is from the beginning a small organization compared to the Russian embassy in Stockholm.

Why exactly three diplomats?

- I do not think one should focus on the number of expulsions.

That is the selection itself.

Sweden has expelled Russian diplomats several times before.

I think this is done to mark politically, says Martin Kragh.

Sweden also plans to soon be able to show a fifth sanction package together with the EU countries, Ann Linde announced at the press conference.

- A sanctions package that goes beyond Russian exports of fossil fuels.

We hope we can reach an agreement to stop coal and oil from Russia.

It's really necessary now, she said.