Published: Less than 30 min ago
Russia’s deputy foreign minister rages after Norway sends weapons to Ukraine.
Now the Norwegian government is responding.
– We will continue to provide weapons support, says State Secretary Eivin Vad Petersson in a comment to Aftonbladet.
During a meeting with the Norwegian ambassador, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov accused Norway of “prolonging the war” through its arms deliveries to Ukraine.
– Norway’s arms supply to Ukraine prolongs the conflict, leads to more victims and makes it difficult to find solutions to the conflict, he said, according to state-controlled Ria Novosti.
A statement that State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson fights back against:
“Russia chose to start this war. Russia can choose to stop the war by laying down its weapons and withdrawing from Ukraine,” he says in a statement to Aftonbladet and continues:
“Will continue”
“Ukraine is fighting a fair defensive battle fully in line with the UN Charter’s rules on the right to self-defense. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is the reason why Norway has provided and will continue to provide arms support and other assistance to Ukraine. We are in line with our allies, neighboring countries and other related countries”.
Norway’s ambassador to Russia Robert Kvile, who attended the meeting, writes in a comment to Aftonbladet:
“I can confirm that today I met Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov. The purpose of the meeting was to hand over copies of my accreditation documents. We also discussed various issues relating to our bilateral relations. Norwegian support for Ukraine was mentioned, but was not the main topic of the conversation,” he says.
Tense mode
Tensions between Norway and Russia have increased recently. Last week, seven Russians were arrested in four days on suspicion of flying drones at Norwegian airports, oil platforms and military facilities.
Hedvig Moe, head of the Norwegian security police, believes that Russia was forced to resort to new methods after so many intelligence officers were expelled from the country.
– They must compensate for the loss of information. Among other things through digital operations and drones, she said earlier this week.
Moe assesses that the risk of sabotage in Norway has increased, above all in the oil and gas industry, and that the reason may be to create uncertainty around Norway’s ability to supply gas to Europe.