Main image: Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, by KS
Norway supports discussions in Europe and the US on strengthening sanctions against Russia to achieve a lasting and just peace in Ukraine that guarantees the sovereignty and independence of the Ukrainian state.
This was stated by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide ahead of the informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya.
"Our position is very firm: a ceasefire and peace must be achieved, but the quality of that peace is crucial. It must be lasting, real, guaranteed, and secured — and Ukraine must remain a free, sovereign, and independent state with full rights to determine its present and future," said Eide.
According to the Norwegian minister, there is currently "positive development in transatlantic unity," particularly in sending a joint message to Putin — “If he is not ready to compromise, there will be more pressure, more sanctions, and more consequences.”
“In the European Union, discussions are ongoing about tightening European sanctions, and in the US Congress and Senate, a package of reinforced sanctions is also being discussed. You are, of course, right that sanctions have not yet produced the desired result. But we know they are hurting the Russian economy. Although parts of Russia’s economy are on 'steroids' due to the wartime state, other sectors are facing serious difficulties. Interest rates are very high, which clearly affects large segments of Russian society. So, sanctions do have an effect. But it seems we need to increase the pressure further. We support ongoing discussions in both the United States and Europe about tougher sanctions,” Eide said.
He added that the second key topic at the Antalya meeting, alongside Russia’s war against Ukraine and its peaceful resolution, will be preparations for the NATO summit in June, especially discussions on increasing defense spending and ensuring its effective use.
“It’s also important that agreement on increasing expenditures is accompanied by a shared assessment of the primary threat — and that aggressive Russia in Europe is the defining challenge for European security,” the minister concluded.
