Norwegian oil company Statoil can deliver more gas to Europe, and specifically to embattled Ukraine, if the need arises, company officials said this week. It may, if Russia’s military intervention continues to escalate and Russian leaders resort to turning off their own gas supplies to Ukraine and western Europe. As tensions continued to rise this […]
OSCE fears bloodbath in Crimea
March 7, 2014
A High Commissioner of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) described the situation on the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine as “alarming” on Friday, and fears violence will escalate. Norway is among the countries sending OSCE observers to the area, where they’ve already been met with resistance by armed military forces. Norway quickly […]
Norway pledges Ukrainian support
March 6, 2014
Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende was in Kiev on Thursday to hold talks with acting President Oleksandr Turtsjynov and offer economic support to the new Ukrainian government. Brende warned Norway’s support would come with conditions, including tackling corruption and better protection for ethnic minorities. Brende told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) he planned to reiterate Norway’s opposition […]
‘Most dangerous’ since the wall fell
March 5, 2014
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Wednesday morning the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was “the most dangerous situation since the fall of the wall”. Solberg said Russia’s violations of international law pose a dilemma for Norway’s ongoing relations with its large and powerful neighbour. Solberg told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that Russia had violated […]
Princess, government drop Paralympics
March 4, 2014
Neither Norway’s Princess Martha Louise nor members of the Norwegian Government will be traveling to Sochi, Russia after all this week, to represent Norway at the Paralympics. Many Norwegian athletes are already in Sochi, though, with the Paralympics due to get underway at the site of the recent Winter Olympics this weekend. Norway’s Royal Palace […]
Norway condemns Putin’s escalation
March 3, 2014
The Norwegian government has joined NATO’s condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military intervention in Ukraine and its escalation during the weekend. Foreign Minister Børge Brende called it “a very dangerous situation” and said Russia has violated Ukrainian sovereignty by placing “considerable” numbers of armed military personnel on and around Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Brende, who […]
Ministry calls in Russian ambassador
March 3, 2014
Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende called in Russia’s ambassador to Norway on Monday, to express Norway’s strong objections to Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine. Brende already has joined NATO and other countries in condemning the escalation on Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, and now Norway’s foreign ministry is also warning Norwegians against traveling to the area. The […]
Olympic intentions killed in a week
March 3, 2014
It was just over a week ago that Norwegian athletes were winning medals at the Winter Olympics in Sochi and the German president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was praising Russian leaders for hosting them, claiming that “we saw the face of a new Russia, efficient and friendly, patriotic and open to the world.” […]
Terror threat still rising
February 24, 2014
Norway’s military intelligence service (Etterretningstjenesten, or E-tjenesten) has repeated earlier predictions that the threat of a terrorist attack continues to rise, also with the return of young Norwegian radicals who’ve joined the fighting in Syria. The intelligence agents also are keenly interested in Russia, and how it will ultimately react to the weekend ouster of Ukraine’s […]
Norway hailed new Ukraine agreement
February 21, 2014
Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende was quick to support a new agreement struck Friday between opposition leaders in Ukraine and embattled Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, saying it represented “considerable progress” and “hopefully means that an even worse bloodbath will be avoided.” Brende, who earlier this week announced that Norway would also impose sanctions against Ukraine […]
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