Norwegian ministers take cover in Kharkiv amid Russian attack
During their visit to Kharkiv, Norwegian ministers had to seek shelter from a Russian attack. The head of Norwegian diplomacy emphasized that this incident is evidence of Moscow's unwillingness to establish a ceasefire. He also ruled out the quick lifting of sanctions on Russia.
What do you need to know?
- Norwegian ministers Espen Barth Eide and Tonje Brenna visited Kharkiv, where they had to flee to a shelter due to a Russian attack.
- The head of Norwegian diplomacy deemed the attack as proof of Moscow's lack of will to establish a ceasefire and ruled out the quick lifting of sanctions on Russia.
- Russia demanded the lifting of sanctions as a condition for establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea, but Norway believes it is too early for that.
Alarm sounded during the visit
Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and Labor Minister Tonje Brenna visited Kharkiv on Wednesday and Thursday. They discussed the potential return of 90,000 Ukrainians from Norway to their homeland once a stable ceasefire is enacted. During one of the meetings, an air raid alarm sounded, prompting the Norwegian government officials to seek refuge in a shelter.
Head of Norwegian diplomacy: There was no question of any mistake
A missile landed dangerously close to their place of stay, and a bomb struck a schoolyard where children had been playing shortly before. Given Kharkiv’s proximity to the Russian border—just several dozen miles away—there's no doubt it was intentional. The Russian forces were fully aware of their targets. This, according to the Norwegian foreign minister in an interview with VG, is strong evidence that Moscow is escalating its attacks and deliberately aiming at civilian areas rather than moving toward ending the conflict.
The head of diplomacy added that the authorities in Kyiv are tensely following the talks between the Russian Federation and the Americans. They clearly emphasize that they need both Europe and the USA, but are concerned about the unclear stance of the Donald Trump administration toward the Kremlin.
Will sanctions on Russia be lifted? "It is too early"
Eide ruled out any near-term changes to the sanctions imposed on Russia for over three years. The Kremlin demanded the lifting of restrictions on Russian banks as a condition for establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Eide made it clear that discussing any relaxation of sanctions at this stage is premature.
