Norway says Russia has reduced its forces near its border amid Ukraine war
Norway’s chief of defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen, has revealed that Russia has significantly lowered its military presence and activity near Norway’s border in the Arctic, where the two countries share a 196 km (122 miles) frontier. He made this statement on Saturday, September 16, 2023, after a meeting of the chiefs of defence of NATO countries held in Oslo.
According to Kristoffersen, Russian forces stationed in the Arctic near Norway are “20% or less” of the number they were before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin knew “very well” that NATO was not a threat to Russia, but rather a deterrent that ensured stability and security in Europe.
Norway is part of NATO and has been concerned about the increased Russian military activity and assertiveness in the region, especially after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine. The Nordic country borders the Kola Peninsula, home to most of Russia’s nuclear weapons as well as its Northern Fleet, which operates Russia’s nuclear submarines.
Kristoffersen said that the reduction of Russian forces near Norway’s border indicates that Putin does not perceive NATO as a threat, but rather as a factor of balance. He said: “On our border, on the Russian border, there is maybe 20% or less (Russian) forces than it used to be before Feb. 24, 2022. If he believed that we were threatening Russia, he couldn’t have moved on his troops to Ukraine to fight the war there.”
He also pointed out that Russia has not reacted militarily to the accession of Finland to NATO in April 2023. Finland and Russia share a 1,300 km (810 miles) border, with Russian troops along that zone, as with Norway, below the numbers they were before the war. Admiral Rob Bauer, chair of NATO’s military committee, agreed with Kristoffersen and said: “Russia knows NATO is not a threat because we are not intending to attack them. Otherwise they would have responded completely different to the accession of Finland. They have talked about it, but they haven’t in physical terms.”
The statement by Norway’s chief of defence comes amid a tense situation in eastern Europe, where Russia has launched a large-scale offensive against Ukraine since February 2022. The war has claimed over 10,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people. NATO has condemned Russia’s aggression and provided political and military support to Ukraine. The alliance has also increased its presence and readiness in the region, conducting exercises and deploying forces and equipment.
The war in Ukraine has also raised concerns about the security and stability of the Arctic, where both NATO and Russia have strategic interests and capabilities. The Arctic is rich in natural resources and offers new opportunities for trade and transportation. However, it also poses challenges such as climate change, environmental protection, and territorial disputes. Both sides have expressed their willingness to cooperate and dialogue on Arctic issues, but also demonstrated their resolve and strength to defend their interests and sovereignty.
Norway’s chief of defence’s statement suggests that despite the war in Ukraine, there is still room for dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Russia on Arctic issues. It also shows that NATO’s collective defence and deterrence posture is effective and credible against potential Russian aggression. However, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to a de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
