"We watch over the Russian nukes," Norway's defence minister tells Peter Hegseth
The Norwegians had a first meeting with Trump's Secretary of Defence.
"From our side it was important to underline that Norway is NATO's eyes and ears in the north. We watch over the Russian nuclear weapons, and cooperate closely with the Americans," Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik told journalists after his meeting with Peter Hegseth.
Sandvik was only few days ago appointed minister in the new government of PM Jonas Gahr Støre. His first visit to the NATO headquarters is overshadowed by a sense of deep crisis in the alliance.
Norway is not member of the EU, and has fully based its security on cooperation with the Americans.
The apparent appeasement of the new US administration towards Moscow will inevitably strain relations with Norway and the European allies.
During his visit to Brussels, Peter Hegseth made clear that Trump administration does not support Ukrainian membership of NATO and that the country, which for three years has been under horrendous attack by the Russians, can not expect to get back occupied land.
Tore O. Sandvik underlines that Norway will continue to support Ukraine.
"The most important issue now is to strengthen Ukraine ahead of the peace negotiations so that the talks are held on Ukrainian premises. Therefore, all of us in Europe must continue to increase support," he said, Forsvaret Forum reports.
The defence minister underlined that Norway's position is that Ukraine should not cede territory to Russia.
"Norway recognises the original borders of Ukraine and that is our position," he said.
However, when asked about Norway's position regarding NATO membership for Ukraine, Tore O. Sandvik did not answer.
Later the same day, the same question was asked to Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. The foreign minister did not leave any doubt.
"I believe we can not accept that Ukraine is deprived its right for a future NATO membership. The alliance has for a long time stood united with the long-term goal that Ukraine will be part of NATO if they so want," he told NRK.
