Norway suspends bilateral military activities with Russia until the end of 2015

Norway suspends bilateral military activities with Russia until the end of 2015.

Military bilateral cooperation has been suspended since March 2014, since the illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilization in eastern Ukraine. The Government has considered the issue again and decided to continue the suspension of all bilateral military activities until the end of 2015.

-The situation in Eastern Ukraine is serious, and Russia has indisputably a destabilizing role. Russia supports separatists in eastern Ukraine military and military forces along the border. This is not acceptable, says Defence Minster Ine Eriksen Søreide.

None of Norway's close allies have resumed military cooperation with Russia. NATO adopted at the summit in September to continue the suspension of the practical and military cooperation between the alliance and Russia, while the political communication channels are kept open.

Maintaining some cooperation

Collaboration will continue in Coast Guard, Border Guard and search-and-rescue activities as well as the workings of the Incidents at Sea Agreement. Contact between the Norwegian Joint Headquarters and the Northern Fleet will continue as well. This is to ensure the safety of all parties in northern marine areas and to maintain stability and predictability in our immediate region.