Asks Norway to step in more heavily to save Ukraine: – The threat is moving closer

– Norway has an economic situation that few other neighbors have. Nevertheless, more and more of our neighboring countries are bypassing us in their support for Ukraine. The Norwegian economy has received a significant boost through high oil and gas prices as a result of Russia’s war of aggression.

This is written by the head of the Ukraine program at the Norwegian Defense Academy, Tom Røseth, and researcher at the Ukraine program at the Norwegian Defense Academy, Tobias Sæther.

Together they have written the column “This is how much the Nansen program must be increased to make a difference on the battlefield in Ukraine” in Aftenposten.

– The measures are insufficient

They believe it is urgent to dig deeper into the Norwegian wallet to avoid Putin’s Russia overrunning Ukraine and thereby threatening the European security order. The researchers warn that the war could mean the end for Ukraine, and that all efforts must now be made to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.

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– Norway, as a small state and a state bordering Russia, is completely dependent on borders not being changed with weapons in hand. Norwegian threat assessments are good, but the measures are insufficient to have a significant effect on the battlefield. A strong strengthening of the Nansen program is the most effective measure to protect our security now and in the future, Røseth and Sæther conclude.

Video: Think this forces the Russians to stay away

​NATO summit: – It is not too late for Ukraine

According to Nato’s top military commander, Admiral Rob Bauer, it is still not too late for Ukraine to turn the war to its advantage and give the Russians significant resistance.

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– It is not too late for Ukraine. The Russians have made progress, but it is still quite limited and still not strategic. Ukraine does not necessarily have to lose the war, says Bauer to the Belgian media VRT.

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According to Bauer, the most important thing for Ukraine is that Western countries are persistent in their support.

– The most important thing is that we continue to provide assistance. The longer the war lasts, the more difficult it becomes. Many countries have supplied weapons and ammunition from their own stockpiles for two years, but they are not endless, warns Bauer.

– The direct military threat is moving closer to Norway

According to the latest additional allocation to Ukraine, Norway will give another seven billion kroner to Ukraine. Nevertheless, the researchers at the Norwegian Defense Academy believe that this is far too little in the very serious situation where Ukraine is being pushed on the defensive.

– The recently presented long-term plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces is crystal clear that the most effective security measure is military support for Ukraine. The analysis is credible: a victory in Ukraine will limit Russia’s ambitions. If our and the West’s support for Ukraine fails, the direct military threat will move closer to NATO and Norway, write Tom Røseth and Tobias Sæther.

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Støre: – Now it’s about delivering fairly immediately

When Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre presented the news of accelerated support to Ukraine with seven billion kroner, he said this:

– The increase will be divided between NOK six billion for military support and NOK one billion for the civilian part of the programme. This should help strengthen Ukraine’s defense line and the ability to protect cities, hospitals and central infrastructure. Now it’s about delivering fairly immediately on this with air defense. We get daily news that Ukrainians are waking up to apartment blocks, hospitals and power plants being hit by Russian missiles. They must be able to defend themselves against this, said Støre.

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– Norway can play a key role in Ukraine

Tom Røseth, principal teacher in intelligence, and head of the Ukraine programme, at the Norwegian Defense College. Photo: The Norwegian Armed Forces

Tom Røseth and Tobias Sæther in the Ukraine program at the Norwegian Defense College, believe this is still not enough. Instead, they recommend that the Nansen programme’s framework be increased to NOK 250 billion over a five-year period.

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– Uncertainty about US support means that Norway can play a key role in Ukraine. Norway’s contribution can make a real difference when it comes to Ukrainian fighting ability in a critical phase, buy the Ukrainians time, save Ukrainian lives and have great significance for European security. It will be particularly important for the security of countries with a border with Russia, such as Norway. It is positive that Norwegian politicians in positions and in the opposition are signaling that support for Ukraine should and will be stepped up. But it must happen quickly and on a larger scale, they summarize in the chronicle.

The Netherlands: – The situation can change in Ukraine’s favour

The Dutch Defense Minister, Kajsa Ollongren, believes that the West still has time to influence the outcome of the war, but that time is running out.

– Now we see that Russia has a certain advantage. But I am convinced that we can change the situation in Ukraine’s favor if we increase production, especially of ammunition, drones and other new technologies, which are very widely used in Ukraine. If we can strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, I am convinced that Ukraine will succeed, says Ollongren to European Pravda.

The Netherlands plans to deliver its first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn, while Denmark has already announced deliveries this summer. Norway is also among the countries that have promised F-16s, a total of 22 aircraft.