Norway’s ambassador took part in Putin’s inauguration ceremony

Norway’s ambassador to Russia, Robert Kvile, was present during Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony on Tuesday. Several parties are critical of the participation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to VG on Tuesday that Kvile will attend the ceremony, where Putin begins his fifth term as President of Russia.

The participation takes place despite the fact that relations between Norway and Russia are very tense due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has been condemned by a majority of the countries in the UN.

According to VG, several countries announced ahead of the ceremony that they would not be present. Among them are Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

– In Norway’s interest

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the reason why Norway nevertheless chose to participate was that they believe it is in Norway’s interest to maintain diplomatic channels with Russia.

– Norway’s relationship with Russia is strongly influenced by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, said State Secretary Eivin Vad Peterson (Ap) in a statement to VG on Tuesday.

– Russia is on the wrong side of history. Nevertheless, it is in Norway’s interest to maintain diplomatic channels with our neighboring country, not least in challenging times, in order to be able to deal with important issues of safety at sea, fisheries cooperation and border management. That is why Norway is represented by our ambassador at the presidential inauguration, he added.

– Sending the wrong signal

Deputy leader and foreign policy spokesperson for KrF, Dag-Inge Ulstein, reacted strongly to Norway’s ambassador being present during the ceremony, and believed it would send the wrong signals.

– When the government sends the Norwegian ambassador to Putin’s inauguration ceremony, this will unfortunately help to legitimize an election that is not at all legitimate, free or fair. What we do know, in any case, is that Russia’s propaganda apparatus will use this for all it’s worth, Ulstein said in an email to NTB on Tuesday morning.

He receives support from Høyre’s Ine Eriksen Søreide.

– I understand very well that there are many considerations to be weighed, and that this is not an easy decision. I still believe that it sends an unfortunate signal that Norway is standing at ambassadorial level for Putin’s reinstatement. The presidential election was neither free nor fair, Putin continues his brutal war against Ukraine and the election came just in the wake of Navalny’s murder, she says in an email to VG.

Støre defends the participation

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) defends that the Norwegian ambassador was present at the ceremony to NRK on Tuesday morning.

– The ambassador is Norway’s voice in Moscow. We need diplomatic representation that looks after our interests as a neighboring country, he says, adding that Russia knows where Norway stands when it comes to, for example, the war in Ukraine.