In a recent incident, Russia’s Deputy Health Minister, Oleg Salagay, was denied entry to Denmark at Copenhagen airport while en route to a World Health Organization (WHO) conference. The conference, focused on “applying behavioral and cultural insights for health,” is scheduled to take place in Copenhagen from September 12 to 14.
The Russian embassy in Denmark voiced its condemnation of the incident and called for an apology from Danish authorities. The Danish foreign ministry is currently investigating the matter.
This refusal of entry follows a diplomatic dispute between Denmark and Russia concerning the number of officials working at each other’s embassies. During negotiations for visas for Denmark’s embassy staff in Moscow, Russia submitted visa requests to Copenhagen that raised concerns about the potential presence of “undeclared agents” or spies at the Russian embassy in Denmark, as stated by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen earlier this month.
As a result, the Russian embassy in Copenhagen has been instructed to reduce its staff to five diplomats and 20 administrative and technical staff by September 29, aligning with the staffing levels of the Danish embassy in Moscow. This diplomatic dispute adds tension to the already complex relationship between the two nations.
