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Norway and Ukraine pen security accord

Norway said on Monday that it has struck a security accord with Ukraine as it fights off the invasion by their mutual neighbour Russia.

Published: 16 April 2024 08:04 CEST

Pictured is Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (R) shakes hands with Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (L)

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (R) shakes hands with Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (L) during a joint press conference following their talks in Kyiv on April 15, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP)

“Norway will be providing long-term military, political, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine,” Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said after meeting Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

“The agreement demonstrates our clear political commitment to continue to stand by Ukraine, as we have done since Russia’s brutal, full-scale attack over two years ago,” he added in a statement.

He said the deal will be signed and made public during Zelensky’s next meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Its date has yet to be announced.

Ukraine is seeking to bolster ties with its allies and appealing to them for arms and munitions as it struggles to fend off Russia’s advance.

It has signed bilateral agreements with several other countries including Britain, France and Germany.

Norway has promised 75 billion kroner ($6.9 billion) in civil and military aid to Ukraine from 2023 to 2027.

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Norway uncovers Russian agents amid sabotage concerns

Torgils Lutro, head of PST Vest, disclosed in an interview with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) that these agents may have been preparing for acts of sabotage.

NRK noted that potential targets could have included Haakonsvern, northern Europe’s largest naval base, as well as crucial oil, gas, and power facilities in the region.

Lutro said that Russian agents were focused on gathering intelligence on critical infrastructure, military installations, and Norwegian preparedness routines.

While the exact number of exposed agents remains undisclosed, the PST has previously warned about the risks posed by Russian espionage and that espionage activity has heightened since Russia invaded Ukraine.

“In Vestland (County), we have strongly suspected, but have also uncovered, hostile and unwanted Russian intelligence activities since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022,” Lutro said.

Russia’s motives

The PST Vest chief suggested that Russia aimed to tarnish Norway’s reputation among its allies.

“It’s evident that one of Russia’s objectives is to portray us in a negative light. They seek to demonstrate that we lack control over our own affairs or that we’re unable to support our allies during future crises,” he said.

Following the war in Ukraine, Norwegian authorities have expelled over 15 people from the Russian embassy in Norway over suspected espionage.

This has prompted Russia to reassess its intelligence personnel and resources, according to the PST.

“Identifying these agents isn’t straightforward. They blend into society, which is part of their job. They may not even hold Russian citizenship, but are motivated by factors like money or threats,” Lutro said.

The PST has consistently highlighted Russian intelligence activities as a growing threat to Norway’s security in its annual threat assessments, including the most recent one in 2024.

“We’ve employed various methods to uncover these activities, and in some instances, we have a clear understanding of how they operate,” Lutro said.

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