Ukraine, The war in Ukraine | Researcher critical of the Ukraine aid: – A patchwork

– I think we have to look at what threat Norway really faces, and the long-term plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces is very clear and very good. It says that the security policy picture has changed because of Russia’s war against Ukraine. That is the starting point for the increased investment in defense in Norway, says Tobias Sæther to Nettavisen.

In March, he guested on Ukrainapodden, a podcast from Nettavisen. There he was clear that Norway should contribute more money to Ukraine than we do today.

Sæther believes that the most effective use of Norwegian money to ensure Norway’s security is to help Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Keep up to date on the war in Ukraine, listen to Nettavisen’s “Ukrainapodden” here.

Norway’s enormous earnings

– This is also about political communication. The Norwegian population largely supports Norway’s contribution to Ukraine, so I think it is possible for the government to increase Norwegian support considerably, with the support of the population. But this requires that you clearly communicate that this is necessary, and why it is necessary, says Sæther.

Read more: Expert sounds the alarm: – Danger of a Russian breakthrough

The researcher also highlights Norway’s enormous additional income from oil and gas after Russia launched a full-scale attack in 2022.

– This was documented, among other things, through a master’s degree that was written recently. It is natural that this is also part of the debate, says Sæther.

The researcher says his main point is that the West has so far supported Ukraine almost from hand to mouth. The support packages have been very important and should be praised, Sæther believes, but they have come at irregular intervals. This has made it difficult for Ukraine to plan long-term.

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– This tactic from the West has meant that Ukraine has just managed to defend itself day by day, but has not been able to go on the offensive. Ukraine will hardly be able to liberate large areas if this continues, Sæther believes.

A patchwork of support packages

He points out that Russia has mobilized the whole of society to win the war in Ukraine.

– They have started a completely different machinery, and are planning for both tomorrow and the days after. It is something completely different from the patchwork of support that has come from Europe and the United States to Ukraine. The Western packages have been extremely important and absolutely decisive for Ukraine’s survival up to now. If Ukraine is to succeed in the long term, the West must match Russia’s long-term way of thinking, believes Tobias Sæther.

Also read: Ukraine’s embassy to Nettavisen about a possible Nansen increase: – We are following the discussions

He argues that Norwegian and Western military support for Ukraine weakens Russian military power.

– Russian ground forces that have previously been stationed in Norway’s immediate areas have suffered heavy losses in Ukraine. Russian conventional capacities in Norway’s immediate areas have been significantly weakened. Stopping Russia in Ukraine is the only credible course of action to force Russia to reconsider the use of military force in Ukraine or elsewhere in the future, the researcher believes.

Also read: Parties chastise the government’s Ukraine package

He brags about long-term, but believes it should be increased considerably.

– If the Nansen package is increased considerably, this could contribute to increasing Ukrainian fighting ability in a way that is encouraging. Norway could put training programs for Ukrainian officers into a long-term framework, help build up the arms industry in Ukraine and strengthen our contributions in the F16 coalition or the maritime coalition.

Also read: – An Achilles’ heel for the Russian Air Force

Støre follows the situation

Confronted with Tobias Sæthers’ statement that support for Ukraine is more important than building up Norwegian defence, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says the following:

– We are now spending more than 50 billion in our budget for Ukraine. We have increased the support significantly, and then we will have to monitor the situation going forward, says Støre to Nettavisen.

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The Nansen package is NOK 75 billion spread over five years, i.e. NOK 15 billion per year

State Secretary Kristoffer Thoner explains that the figure the Prime Minister used includes, among other things, the reception, settlement and integration of refugees and civil and military support for Ukraine

Støre says it is important for Norway to contribute money to Ukraine’s defence.

– The shortage out there now is access to ammunition and anti-aircraft defense, and Norway allocated more money on Tuesday to obtain anti-aircraft defense and ammunition. That is what Ukraine is asking for, and we help them get it, says Støre to Nettavisen.

Vedum says Norway contributes heavily

Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp) tells Nettavisen that Norway is capable of both strengthening the Norwegian defense and at the same time helping Ukraine.

– This week we have increased the contribution to the Norwegian defense by NOK seven billion, and NOK six billion for military aid to Ukraine. We believe these are heavy contributions, says Vedum.

The extra six billion for Ukraine is taken from the Nansen package, and will mean that Norway has six billion less to spend on Ukraine in the coming years, if the overall framework is not increased.

– The six billion to Ukraine is about our defence, our security and our basic values. People must remember that, says Vedum.