– No heightened threat to Norway in the north – VG
NEW YORK/OSLO (VG) Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg are clear that support for Ukraine will continue, despite Putin’s threats. Støre assures that Norway is closely monitoring the border with Russia.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says in a live interview with the Reuters news agency that Putin’s speech on Wednesday morning was an escalation, but not a surprise.
– Putin’s speech shows that the war is not going according to plan, says Stoltenberg.
In a televised speech on Wednesday morning, the Russian president has ordered the partial mobilization of reserve forces.
According to the Minister of Defence, it will provide 300,000 new soldiers for the war in Ukraine.
He says that Putin has underestimated NATO and the international community.
– He didn’t think we would support them the way we do. We are not part of the war, but we support Ukraine’s right to self-determination.
At the same time, he is clear that the NATO countries have to fill up their own weapons stockpiles, but that they are in close dialogue with the arms industry to increase the production of arms and ammunition.
The Nato commander also says that they have increased the preparedness of the troops and monitoring, but that they have so far not noticed any changes.
When asked about nuclear weapons, Stoltenberg replies that so far they have not seen any changes in Russia’s nuclear preparedness.
– NATO will ensure that there are no misunderstandings in Moscow about the seriousness of using nuclear weapons. Nuclear war should never be fought, he says.
Stoltenberg also says that when he arrives, the war will end on the negotiating table, but that Kyiv must have an acceptable outcome.
– This war, like almost all other wars, will end at a negotiating table.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi says at the same time in another interview that negotiations are out of the question as long as Russia is in Ukraine.
– Very serious
– It is very serious that Russia is now announcing the mobilization of reserve forces, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a statement to VG.
– This escalation of the war will cause more suffering for both Ukrainians and Russians. I repeat our strong call to Russia to end the war. Ukraine has Norway’s full support, says Støre.
Støre is in New York, where he will take Norway’s seat on the UN Security Council on Thursday.
When asked what Putin’s mobilization of the reserve forces means for Norway, Støre replies that Norway must act “wisely and responsibly”.
– That means close consultation with our allies in NATO. NATO is a defense alliance that must provide security to its members. That is the sensible behavior we need to show, not join an escalating rhetorical race where the excitement can lead to misunderstandings, says the Prime Minister to VG.
– No special measures, that is, even though we share a border with Russia?
– We keep a close eye on the border in the north and we have taken the necessary measures to raise awareness. But I repeat, we do not see any elevated, direct threat to Norway in the north. We are well aware of what is happening on the ground, in the air and at sea, and we continue to follow it.
Decline and division
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt is also at the UN’s high-level week in New York now. She says this is a serious escalation on the Russian side that will only lead to further escalation and more destruction.
– We are heading into a demanding winter. Putin aims to create political division and economic decline in Europe. He will not succeed in that, writes the foreign minister in a statement to VG.
– The European and allied response to the war of aggression is powerful, and cooperation has been strengthened in many areas. Ukraine will need aid for many years to come, and Norway will contribute extensive and long-term support.
At the same time, she assures that the Norwegian authorities are doing what they can to keep tension low in the high north.
– It is now even more important that our deterrence is credible and therefore we cooperate more with allies. It will strengthen our security if Sweden and Finland join NATO. That means we can defend our territories together with them, she tells VG.
– Desperate
Liberal leader Guri Melby says that the mobilization that President Putin ordered on Wednesday morning is “a clear sign of a desperate dictator”.
– Putin has escalated the conflict with his mobilization, it is a clear sign of a desperate dictator we are now seeing, writes Melby in an email to VG.
In a televised speech on Wednesday morning, the Russian president has ordered the partial mobilization of reserve forces.
According to the Minister of Defence, it will provide 300,000 new soldiers for the war in Ukraine.
Don’t be last in the class
– Ukraine must get the weapons support they need to fight back against Putin’s imperialist and authoritarian regime, says the Liberal leader.
Melby writes that she expects Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) to agree with the Western leaders who are now advocating more arms support for Ukraine.
– The government cannot be last in class now again, we must stand up for peace and freedom in Europe, says the Liberal leader.
She also reacts to leaders that Russia has placed in several occupied areas of Ukraine, has announced referendums on becoming part of Russia, and that the votes will take place already this week:
– The time when Russia can annex territory through fake referendums is prohibited. The rest of the world sees right through this game. The West must immediately step up its support for Ukraine. We have to be on guard now, says Guri Melby.