Translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence  

This year marks 200 years since the national border between Norway and Russia was established. On 14 May 1826, a border convention was signed in St Petersburg. This was a pivotal event in our shared history. The border is one of Russia’s oldest 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 took part in negotiating as Minister of Foreign Affairs. This was a milestone that ensured that the border in these waters was clarified and undisputed. The agreement was reached during a period of increased cooperation, optimism and trust in our bilateral relations. We had extensive people-to-people cooperation, twin cities, research exchanges and official bilateral contacts.

That was a different time. Concurrently, Russia gradually developed in an ever more authoritarian direction. We saw that Russia continued to harbour ambitions to control its neighbouring areas.

Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and occupation in Donbas in 2014, bilateral contact was significantly reduced. With Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, our relation was fundamentally altered. The engagement policy that had underpinned Norway’s approach since the 1990s ended.

Today, we must deal with a more authoritarian and militarised Russia, which has chosen to wage war against one of its neighbours and consistently violates international law. A Russia that challenges European security.

Facing this new reality, we have adjusted our Russia policy. Regular political contact has been put on hold, sanctions have been introduced in line with our European partners, and restrictions have been imposed on Russian vessels and citizens. This has consequences for communities and businesses in the High North and demonstrates also that the war directly affects us.

We will continue our substantial support to Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression. Ukraine is fighting for the right to self-determination and freedom in Europe. A scenario in which Russia achieves military or political control over Ukraine would have serious consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for European security.

As long as Russia’s aggression continues, our support for Ukraine will persist. It is a strength for Norway and a reassurance for Ukraine that our military and civilian Nansen Support Programme is backed by an all-party agreement in the Parliament.

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

At the same time, our Russia policy must be based on the recognition that the threat Russia poses to our security and that of our allies is likely to persist in the long term. The threat environment is complex, and we are more vigilant.

Russian authorities employ a broad range of instruments to destabilise and threaten other states, including Norway. Vulnerabilities are being exploited. We must manage an increased risk of sabotage against critical infrastructure, espionage, disinformation and other forms of malign influence. Their objective is to weaken our democracy, trust between people and our support for Ukraine.

This manifests itself in different ways and affects all parts of our society. We oppose this. We already have a solid situational awareness and are more vigilant. The ability to protect and defend ourselves in cooperation with allies will continue to be a precondition for a stable relation with Russia. Ensuring Norway’s and Europe’s security will remain our primary objective.

In following up our National Security Strategy, the Government is implementing a range of measures to protect our fundamental security interests in the face of a more dangerous and unpredictable Russia.

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

Second, we are strengthening cooperation with key allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Poland and Canada. This, on top of the NATO alliance and cooperation with the United States, further strengthens our security. We are beefing up joint exercises and allied presence in the High North.

Third, we act firmly and predictably in the north. This helps reduce the risk of conflict and misunderstandings. At the same time, we keep certain channels of communication with Russia open in areas where we have important interests.

These include border control, maritime safety, limited diplomatic and military contact, and sustainable fisheries management. Norway continues to support Russian civil society and human rights defenders in and outside of Russia.

The war causes harm to people in Ukraine every single day. For many Russians as well, the war has been disastrous. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their sons at the front, high inflation has eroded purchasing power, and freedom of expression has been reduced to a minimum.

The Russian authorities are responsible for today’s situation. President Putin can end the war in Ukraine at any time by withdrawing his forces and 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 a long time to come. Norway’s security will always be inextricably linked to European and transatlantic security.

We cannot turn back time or 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.

 

This is a preliminary translation, using AI. The text has also been proof read by our employees, but there can be certain discrepancies from the original Norwegian text. An updated official translation will follow.