“We must have the ability to be out with Norwegian vessels where possible, and we must be good at coordinating with allies. However, we still encounter Russian vessels, and the Border Guard acts professionally and respectfully when meeting Norwegian forces; we must take that into consideration going forward. The war in Ukraine is entirely unacceptable. At the same time, we see that there is still a professional behavior in the Nordic region.”
The prime minister confirms this.
“We are primarily facing hybrid threats. The line between what was considered war and, for example, sabotage or other activities has blurred. We must be honest about that, and one of the threats we’re facing is war. But I have been at the border and met the patrols along the border, and we do not see that we are facing a military threat in the North today.”
Can increase the risk
What response has Russia had to the announcement of increased military activity in the North?
“I have not heard anything about that, but it is usual for Russia to protest against all such statements from Norway. But I repeat, we decide how to conduct our activity in Norway. It will take place in a way that does not provoke or concern others, but that is the right every country has,” says Støre.
“The current threat is what is called hybrid warfare, such as attacks on energy and water supplies. So, we must be honest and discuss it thoroughly to prepare for the possibility that it could happen to us. We are not threatening anyone, but it is our responsibility to ensure that no one can be threatened,” concludes PM Støre.
To the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, the Russian Embassy in Norway has warned that a lack of trust and communication in the military area between Russia and NATO could increase the risk of “dangerous incidents.”
“We are convinced that intensive militarization of Norwegian northern areas will not lead to increased security, but on the contrary, increase military-political tension and the risk of escalation in the Arctic,” stated the embassy.