– There is no basis for a telephone conversation with Putin. For me to have that conversation, I have to believe that there is something we can achieve. This is what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said when he was interviewed on Dagsrevyen on Thursday evening. He says they worked intensely to stop the war in the days before, but that it became completely clear to them that Russia had made up its mind. After that there has been little contact. – As long as Putin continues the brutal warfare, and not least the attacks against gas, water and electricity supplies, which force the Ukrainians to fear and freeze throughout the winter, there is no basis for negotiations. That is only when the Russians respect Ukraine as an independent state, says Stoltenberg. The NATO commander on Norwegian soil. Photo: Håkon Benjaminsen / news He says that he is under hard work pressure – with demanding days and heavy seriousness. – It is still nothing compared to what they in Ukraine experience every single day. – What responsibility do you feel for ending the war? – I feel a great responsibility to bring an end to the war. Ensure that Ukraine is an independent state in Europe, and the best means of achieving that is to support them, he replies. – The relationship kept getting worse In 2001, Stoltenberg met Putin when he was prime minister. With him at the meeting was the current Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre. They met often in the 2000s, and at that time had hopes of a better relationship with Russia. Then Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg greets President Putin in the Kremlin during his official visit to Russia in June 2001. Photo: Bjørn Sigurdsøn / NTB That hope disappeared in 2014 – when the Crimean peninsula was annexed by the Russians. – Since then, the relationship has become increasingly worse. We have tried, but the Russians have chosen confrontation. That is why we are where we are now, says Stoltenberg. Relations between Russia and Norway may never return to normal, he believes. – Trust has been destroyed, and it will remain so as long as Russia has ambitions to control neighboring countries. We also know that the gas supply from Russia will not come up again, because we cannot depend on Russian gas again. In any case, it is a permanent change. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyj together during a press conference in 2019. Photo: GLEB GARANICH / Reuters Planning Norwegian Christmas Despite the war, Stoltenberg emphasizes the importance of celebrating Christmas. He himself plans to celebrate Christmas with his closest relatives on Norwegian soil. – This year it is even more important to celebrate Christmas, and to think about the message of peace. Taking care of each other, he says. – I strongly believe that democracy and freedom win in the end, he adds. See the full interview with Jens Stoltenberg. Earlier on Thursday, the NATO chief visited the University of Oslo, where, among other things, the war in Ukraine and security policy challenges were a natural topic. He has long been clear that NATO will continue its support for Ukraine, and has stated that there will be no peace in Ukraine if Russia wins the war. Jens Stoltenberg at the University of Oslo earlier on Thursday. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Stoltenberg has also repeatedly warned against underestimating Russia, and has been aware that the coming months will be difficult.
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– No basis for talks with Russia – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
