Norway shuts down military cooperation with Russia

Although far away from Crimea, Norway did not stand by and watch how the region was annexed to Russia. Norway suspended all military cooperation with Russia for now.

Ine Eriksen Soreinde, Defence Minister said Norway condemned Russia's intervention in Ukraine and accused the bordered country of violating international laws. Eriksen confirmed Norway has stopped any military activities with Russian until May.

Russia and Norway performed a lot of military drill in the Arctic Ocean and there were a few planed this year. Some Russian diplomats were supposed to visit Oslo to mark 200 years of Norwegian Navy, while the Northern Eagle naval exercise was canceled. Russian defence minister Sergey Shoygu planned a visit in April to Bergen, but this was also canceled.

"We will make a renewed assessment of any subsequent planned activities in light of developments in the situation in Ukraine as well as any further actions taken by the Russian government,” said Ine Eriksen Soreinde.

Norway shares a 196 kilometer land border with Russia in the east and also maritime borders in the Barents Sea. The defence ministry statement said the cooperation between these two countries regarding maritime safety, coast guard, border collaboration and search and rescue missions will not be affected.