European Central: Animosity Increases Between Norway And Russia
Russian Foreign Ministry
Relations between Norway and Russia have become tense in recent years following the latter’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Norway shares a border with Russia in the Arctic Circle and is concerned about the risk of Russian aggression which Ukraine has already been dealing with for the past seven years. This has led to an increase in military presence in the region. The Arctic region has become more accessible as ice melts and temperatures continue to rise. Norway’s government has also made some decisions in recent years that have angered Russia. This includes more cooperation with the United States.
Oslo announced that it would allow the United States to build facilities at three military bases and a naval base within Norway as part of the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement. This decision is raising eyebrows because the Nordic kingdom stated when it joined NATO in 1949 that it would never allow foreign bases in the country. To get around this, Norway is technically allowing the United States to build facilities and not actual military bases and reaffirmed its commitment to not allowing foreign bases within the country. The American facilities will be used by the United States, Norway, and allied forces. Future alterations and improvements to the facilities would be allowed under the agreement.
Besides these facilities, the United States has already constructed a military surveillance radar system on the Norwegian island of Vardo. This allows Norway to monitor Russian military presence in the region. Russia is bothered by the fact that the United States funded the system. Morten Haga Lunde, the chief of Norway’s military intelligence agency, called this new system upgrade.
This is because the island of Vardo already had an American radar system, but not as sophisticated as the new system. While this system is an advantage for Norway, it is also a prime target for Russia in the event of a conflict. This is because it is believed the United States funded the new system not only for the benefit of Norway to monitor Russian military movement but to allow the United States to develop a missile defense system. The mayor of Vardo sees it as an economic opportunity for the island.
The island has lost half of its population, partially due to the fishing industry struggling to support jobs as it did historically. Residents of the island themselves would prefer to be employed in the fishing industry rather than by the radar system. There are also concerns that the radar system can impact the health of residents on Vardo. Three women living on the same street all suffered miscarriages and are concerned if the radar system played a role.
In 2018, Norway hosted NATO war games. NATO allies used this as an opportunity to ensure that it was prepared for foreign attacks in Norway. While not explicitly stated, it can be understood that the foreign attacks NATO prepared for would be from Russia. Russia was invited to observe but was angered by the exercises and called the war games which included 50,000 troops as anti-Russian. Russia claims this is the most military activity near the border since the Cold War. Admittedly, this is the biggest exercise NATO has conducted since the end of the Cold War.
While Russia objected, it is important to point out that Russia frequently hosts its own war games. Compared to Russia however, Norway has not been trying to annex regions of other countries. Instead, the NATO war games can be viewed as a defensive exercise rather than as a threat to Russia. Norway and NATO are simply promising that they are prepared to defend Norway.
Besides vocalizing its disapproval, Russia jammed GPS signals once again during the war games. However, this is not the first time that Russia has jammed GPS signals. Norway has decried previous jamming of GPS signals to no avail. Besides a concern for national security, this impacts civilian air travel in the Artic. Norway and Finland both presented evidence of the alleged jamming of the GPS signals but Russia dismissed the claims. Jamming GPS signals is serious because it can show someone tens of kilometers away from their true location.
Besides allowing the use to build facilities on several Norwegian military bases and a naval base, Norway has also blocked the sale of Bergen, a company to Russia. Norway passed a law that allows the government to set conditions or entirely block the sales of companies important for national security. Norway has stated the company is vital to the safety of Norway. Norway is concerned that the company would boost the military capabilities of Russia.
Russia’s embassy in Oslo is concerned about the rising anti-Russian sentiment that has been increasing in Norway. Norway blocking the sale of Bergen also presents a problem for Rolls Royce which wants to unload the company. Rolls Royce warns that it needs help finding a suitable buyer or 900 jobs are at risk. Political parties in Norway appear unified in thinking that this decision protects the security of Norway, but the government opposition criticized the ruling coalition for taking so long to decide to block the sale of Bergen.
Russia may be angry about the souring of relations with other European nations, but this is the consequence of countries not knowing the true intentions of Russia in the region. It is understandable that European countries that border Russia and their allies would work to protect themselves against a potential military invasion.
