– I have been thinking about it, but then I went towards higher education instead. That’s what Solveig-Kristine Nordhov says, who chose studies ahead of the Armed Forces. – But perhaps I would have chosen differently if I had known how things had been today (considering the tense situation in Europe, editor’s note). She wonders how the Armed Forces will carry out the rearmament they are going through with the increased funds they were allocated from the state budget. – It has been quite easy to escape the Norwegian Armed Forces in recent years. Maybe they will do more like Finland, where most have to enter the defense after high school, asks Nordhov. On Friday, she and a number of other students at the University of Tromsø met defense chief Eirik Kristoffersen for a breakfast meeting. The students pricked up their ears when the Chief of Defense briefed about the war in Ukraine. – It is clear that it affects us. We see it with the financial consequences and all the uncertainty, says Nordhov. – We are keen to improve the situation and hope it ends. Worried about the navy Despite the fact that Norway and the UN have condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the Norwegian Armed Forces are still in contact with the Russian Northern Fleet. – We have continued the dialogue ever since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and also after February this year, says Kristoffersen. The Norwegian Defense Forces have protocol meetings with the Northern Fleet on the border between Norway and Russia. Border control and cooperation around search and rescue in the Barents Sea are discussed here. – We also have an agreement that allows us to clear up misunderstandings if a Russian aircraft were to fly too close to a Norwegian surveillance aircraft, or vice versa, says Kristoffersen. In addition, the commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational headquarters has a direct line to the commander of the Northern Fleet, which is tested at regular intervals. The chief of defense is concerned about the navy’s capacity in the coming years. He says that Norway will continue to have dialogue with the Russian Northern Fleet. Photo: Trygve Grønning / news – It is in both of our interests that we can clear up misunderstandings should something undesirable happen, says the defense chief. – The relationship between Norwegian and Russian vessels has been professional and polite since the war started in Ukraine. However, the Chief of Defense is concerned that the Navy will be significantly weakened in the coming years. That’s because several vessels are being taken out of service to be upgraded. – This means that we will sometimes have a dip in capacity. He also sees the lack of maritime helicopters as a challenge, after the government decided to cancel the contract for the NH-90 helicopters. – We have a big shortage. We are doing what we can to get a replacement for NH-90 in place. I think the war will last a long time But even though the students listened with great interest to the chief of defence, there was no good news for them. – I think that this conflict will last for a while, but I am sure that we will find solutions so that we can rebuild Ukraine after the war ends, says Kristoffersen. – But the wounds after the war will last a long time. The defense chief also does not believe that there is a military solution to the war in Ukraine. Kristoffersen had to answer the students’ questions about everything from the conditions in Afghanistan to the mid-term elections in the USA. Photo: Trygve Grønning / news – The war must be resolved at the negotiating table, he says. – Is it about coming to one’s senses? – Yes, for President Putin it’s about coming to his senses, says Kristoffersen. Kristoffersen, on the other hand, does not believe that the parties will meet for negotiations anytime soon. – Right now, it does not appear that President Putin is interested in any kind of negotiations. Zelenskyj is under attack and has more than enough to defend himself. – I was extremely nervous But even though the message from Kristoffersen was serious, the students were satisfied with the day and the defense chief. – He gave a fantastic lecture about Ukraine and answered the questions he was asked very well, says Julie Erikson. Julie Erikson and Charlotte Skogheim share many of the views of Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen when it comes to Ukraine and NATO. Photo: Trygve Grønning / news – I very much agree with the way he sees things, and then he speaks in a way that makes everyone understand what you say and mean. Fellow student Charlotte Skogheim actually dreaded the lecture a little. – I was very nervous just before I came here, because he is a big person. But when he started talking I became completely calm, she says. – It was fantastic to get a lot of good information. I am very glad I came and listened.
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The Chief of Defense briefed about the situation in Ukraine at UiT Norway’s Arctic University – news Troms and Finnmark
