1 of 3Photo: Gisle Oddstad / VG
NEW YORK (VG) Norway has no plans to send military forces to NATO countries in the east to deter Russia. This is what Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) told VG in New York on Monday.
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NATO announced on Monday that several allied countries, including Denmark, are increasing their military contributions to other member states in the tense situation between Russia and Ukraine.
Norway now has soldiers in Lithuania as part of NATO’s reinforced defense in the east.
– Norway contributes through NATO’s advanced forces in Lithuania. There is no change in that. In addition, we have a long coast and are NATO’s eyes and ears in the north. We will continue to do this thoroughly, and have no plans beyond that, Støre says to VG.
The Norwegian frigate Fridtjof Nansen is now sailing with an American aircraft carrier group in the Mediterranean, and is now embarking on an extensive NATO-led naval and air exercise there. Støre says that the government has not considered whether the frigate should possibly contribute to further deterrence against Russia in the region.
– They do a good and professional job together with the USA, says Støre, who does not want to speculate on any new assignments.
Important week
VG asks Støre to comment on NATO’s increased military preparedness as NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced earlier Monday:
– It is not unnatural for NATO members to also think about their own security and preparedness when there is a strong troop build-up in their immediate area. But that is the diplomatic and political track we must now emphasize, he says.
This week, NATO and the United States will give Russia written answers, and then Russia has said that President Putin will consider the answers and the way forward.
– This week will be very important, the Norwegian Prime Minister adds.
– Is the danger of military attack from Russia mother Ukraine, increased or decreased in recent days?
– It is as it has been. It is possible and not unlikely. And I think that’s how the Russian leadership wants it: unclear. And this is how the Russian leadership will leave the impression of being an important means of pressure for Russia. Then the open democracies must think wisely and clearly and not allow themselves to be provoked unnecessarily but rather not be naive, says Støre.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs changes travel advice
On Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued new travel advice for Ukraine. They now advise against all unnecessary travel to the country.
– Due to the tense and unpredictable situation in Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tightening the travel council, it is stated in a press release from the ministry.
Since 2014, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against all travel to and stays in the counties of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as on the occupied Crimean peninsula.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now also introducing a travel council that applies to the entire country.
–– The situation in Ukraine may change at very short notice. Download the Travel Ready app and register your trip so that the Norwegian authorities can reach you with important messages, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes as advice to those who have to travel to the country.
– If you are already in Ukraine, we also encourage you to follow developments closely. Make thorough assessments of your own safety, including getting an overview of departure opportunities if necessary.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs Dagbladet that they have not yet decided that they will call home or evacuate personnel from the Norwegian embassy.
However, we have plans ready for both recall and evacuation that we can implement if the security situation indicates that this is necessary to ensure the safety of our employees, they write in an email to the newspaper.
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