Minister of Defense on the war in Ukraine:
Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram and Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen have both attended a US-led meeting in Germany on Ukraine’s long-term defense needs on Tuesday.
– It was a meeting marked by seriousness, but it was also useful to get updated assessments, and the opportunity to discuss what is happening and how it should be handled further, says Minister of Defense Gram to Dagbladet shortly after the meeting.
He says that at the meeting “the development we now see in the war” was confirmed.
– It is very important that the Russians do not win with their offensive in Ukraine, and therefore it is important that we manage to contribute what we can so that the Ukrainians can manage to defend themselves, Gram says.
Setback: – The perfect time
Russia’s responsibility
It was Saturday night Norwegian time that spokesman John Kirby at the US Department of Defense said that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had wanted 40 allied countries and partners for the meeting for what he calls consultations.
The purpose of the meeting was to look more closely at how Ukraine’s partners can continue to support Ukraine militarily after the war.
When asked what signal he thinks it sends to Moscow that 40 allies are gathering in this way today, Minister of Defense Gram answers:
– Russia has started this war and is responsible for ending it. What we are doing is helping Ukraine defend itself against an aggressive counterpart that has attacked.
Norway has contributed in various ways to help Ukraine in the war, Gram points out – both humanitarian, economic, and with defense equipment.
– We have sent military equipment to the country in several rounds, and more will come from Norway, he says.
He describes relations with Ukraine as good.
– We have good contact with both Ukraine and other allies, and will consider further contributions on an ongoing basis with regard to how the war develops, he says.
– Useful initiative
The meeting at the Ramstein base will take place the day after US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv.
Secretary of Defense Gram describes the US initiative for the meeting as useful.
– There is a great need for coordination on, among other things, equipment deliveries, logistics and training, and one of the conclusions after today’s meeting is that the countries will coordinate continuously in this coordination in the future.
The nuclear weapons sabers
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that there was a “real danger” of World War III, and that the world could once again face nuclear war.
– The danger is serious, it is real, it is not possible to underestimate it, said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the risk of a third world war on Monday night in an interview with Russian TV.
Minister of Defense Gram tells Dagbladet that he “does not have such a fear that this will happen”.
– But there is a strong reaction to the fact that they rattle with the nuclear weapons sabers. It is unfounded and external, and something I strongly dissociate myself from, he says.
– What does it take for the war to end?
– I will be careful not to speculate, but the responsibility here lies in Russia, and the war should end immediately. We can not let the aggression Russia shows win – and therefore Norway stands up, Gram answers.
Real danger of World War III
– Made an impression
The Minister of Defense says that a delegation from Ukraine was present during today’s meeting, and says it made an impression on him to hear them tell about what the country is now in.
– It was special to hear about what plays out, about what is about destruction, about the dead and about the injured. It made an impression, I must say.
Gram continues:
– At the same time, it strengthened the consensus and the desire to help and contribute to both democracy and the rule of law. These were consistent values during the meeting today.
– What is your message to Vladimir Putin?
– It is clear – that the war must end, Gram answers.
Earlier today it became known in Germany will allow Ukrainian soldiers to train on German soil.
– So far is not a form of such training and problem for us, Gram says when asked if Norway has considered offering something similar.
– Have faith
Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen also attended the meeting in Ramstein, and also describes a strong impression.
– The Ukrainian Minister of Defense was present and his optimism that they can win made the strongest impression. He was very positive and believed that this war has Russia lost in the first place. He had a threat, says Kristoffersen.
– Do you share the threat?
– The country has really shown that they have a will to defend, so today’s meeting was mostly about how the support can be better coordinated.
He continues:
– The topic was therefore what the Ukrainians need in the short term to be able to maintain their position in the Donbas, and most critically where there is a need for immediate support of ammunition, air defense and artillery, as well as equipment maintenance.
– Another topic that was discussed was what this war means for Ukraine in the long term when they will rebuild the country and the defense, he adds.
No specific wishes were presented to some countries, according to the Chief of Defense.
– Norway is concerned that aid should be well coordinated. If, for example, everyone provides material without it being coordinated, it can in the worst case lead to it stopping. It is important to provide the right material at the right time and in the right place, he says.
– Unacceptable threats
Kristoffersen points out that Russia has not achieved its goals in this war.
– They have neither brought about a regime change, nor control of the Donbas, which clearly shows that the war is not going as they had planned. Now Russia should stop this, he says.
On Lavrov’s claims about the danger of a third world war or nuclear war, he says:
– The threats that come are unacceptable. It is not in Russia’s interest for this to escalate out of Ukraine, and Putin also knows this very well.
– Dangerous to speculate
In a brief press briefing after the meeting, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was asked whether there are fears the war in Ukraine will escalate, spin out of control, lead to a third world war or the use of nuclear weapons.
– Well, we will do everything in our power, and Ukraine the same, so that this does not spin out of control, Austin answers.
He says that empty threats about the use of nuclear weapons are external.
– Nobody wants to see it. There is always a possibility that a number of things can happen, but it is not very useful and dangerous to speculate, says Austin.
«Heaven and earth in motion»
When he opened the meeting, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin promised that Ukraine’s allies would “set heaven and earth in motion” to supply the country with all their weapons and military equipment.
According to Austin, Ukraine has so far received, or been promised, weapons and military equipment for almost 50 billion kroner, and there will be more talk, according to NTB.
– We have to do much more. Ukraine needs our help to win today, and they will need our help when the war is over, he said.
– A public blunder for Russia
Weapons Fund
Earlier on Tuesday, it became known to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) that he promises NOK 400 million for a weapons fund for Ukraine and says that the government is also considering donating heavier weapons from Norway.
In the future, the Ukrainian forces will need more weapons to withstand the attacks in the east and south. They will need heavier and more advanced weapon systems. Norway contributes, said Støre.
– We work closely with Ukraine and allies to ensure good coordination of arms deliveries. Further direct donations of heavier weapons from Norway to Ukraine are being considered on an ongoing basis – and implementation, he said.