Official translation from Norwegian (updated)  

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has profoundly changed Norway’s relationship with Russia. At the same time, our two countries are bound together by our geography. This means that Norway’s Russia policy must be capable of balancing different considerations and ensuring continued stability and predictability in the High North.

This year marks 200 years since the national border between Norway and Russia was established. A convention on the determination of the border was signed in St Petersburg on 14 May 1826. This was a pivotal event in our shared history. This land border is one of Russia’s oldest borders and one of Norway’s youngest.

In 2010, Norway and Russia signed the Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean, which I was involved in negotiating as Minister of Foreign Affairs. This was a milestone. Under the Treaty, an undisputed maritime boundary between Norway and Russia was finally established.

The agreement came during a period of increased cooperation, optimism and trust in our bilateral relations, which saw extensive people-to-people cooperation, town twinning initiatives, research exchanges and official bilateral contact.

That was a different time. But even back then, Russia was gradually moving towards a more authoritarian style of government. It was becoming increasingly clear that Russia continued to harbour ambitions to control its neighbouring areas.

Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and occupation of parts of Donbas in 2014, bilateral contact between Norway and Russia was significantly reduced. With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, relations were fundamentally altered. The policy of engagement and cooperation that Norway had pursued since the 1990s was no longer viable.

Today, we are dealing with a more authoritarian and militarised Russia, a Russia that has chosen to wage war against a neighbouring country and consistently violates international law, a Russia that challenges European security.

In response to this new reality, we have adjusted our Russia policy. Regular political contact has been suspended, sanctions have been introduced in cooperation with our European partners, and restrictions have been imposed on Russian vessels and citizens. All this has consequences for communities and businesses in the north, and illustrates how the war is affecting us too.

We will maintain our substantial support for Ukraine as it fights to defend itself against Russian aggression. Theirs is a fight for the right to self-determination and for freedom in Europe. A scenario in which Russia achieves military or political control over Ukraine would have serious ramifications not only for Ukraine, but also for European security.

Norway will continue to support Ukraine for as long as Russia continues its aggression. The endorsement of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine by all the parties in the Storting (Norwegian parliament) is a strength for Norway and ensures reliable support for Ukraine.

We have no hostile or aggressive intentions. As both my European colleagues and I have repeatedly stated: Norway and NATO pose no threat to anyone. Stability and predictability in the High North will remain one of Norway’s core interests.

At the same time, our Russia policy must be based on recognition of the fact that Russia is likely to pose a threat to our security and that of our Allies for a long time to come. The current threat landscape is complex, and we are more vigilant.

The Russian authorities employ a broad range of methods to destabilise and threaten other states, including Norway. They are exploiting vulnerabilities. We are having to manage an increased risk of sabotage against critical infrastructure, espionage, disinformation and other hostile influence activities. Their objective is to weaken democracy, diminish trust between people and undermine our support for Ukraine.

This is manifesting itself in different ways and is affecting all parts of our society. We are putting up resistance. We already have sound situational awareness and are on heightened alert. The ability to protect and defend ourselves in cooperation with our Allies will continue to be essential if we are to maintain a stable relationship with Russia. Ensuring Norway’s and Europe’s security will remain our top priority.

In our work to follow up Norway’s National Security Strategy, the Government is implementing a range of measures to safeguard our fundamental security interests in the face of a more dangerous and more unpredictable Russia.

First, we are strengthening our defence capability and building resilience across all sectors of society. This whole-of-government approach improves our shared situational awareness and our collective response.

Second, we are strengthening our cooperation with key Allies such as the UK, Germany, France, the Nordic countries the Netherlands, Poland, Canada. This further reinforces the foundation that underpins Norwegian security, as a supplement to our membership of NATO and our cooperation with the US. We are carrying out more joint exercises and increasing the Allied presence in the High North.

Third, we will continue to act in a consistent and predictable manner in the north. This helps to reduce the risk of conflict and misunderstandings. At the same time, we are keeping certain channels of communication with Russia open, in areas where we have important interests to protect.

These include border control, maritime safety and sustainable fisheries management. We are also maintaining limited diplomatic and military contact. Norway will continue to support Russian civil society and human rights defenders in and outside Russia.

The war is taking a huge toll on people in Ukraine every single day. The war has also been disastrous for many Russians. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their sons at the front, high inflation has eroded people’s purchasing power, and freedom of expression has been severely curtailed.

The Russian authorities are responsible for today’s situation. President Putin could end the war in Ukraine at any time; he could withdraw his forces and start respecting international law. Unfortunately, there is little to suggest that this will happen anytime soon.

Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine has inflicted deep wounds that will shape Europe’s relationship with Russia for the foreseeable future. Norway’s security will always be inextricably linked to European and transatlantic security.

We cannot turn back time or simply reset our relationship with Russia. But should the Russian authorities change their policy and choose a new course, we will be ready to discuss new forms of interaction.