Norwegian ministers flee to shelter amid Russian attack in Kharkiv
During their visit to Kharkiv, Norwegian ministers had to seek shelter from a Russian attack. The head of Norwegian diplomacy emphasized that this 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 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 Labour Minister Tonje Brenna visited Kharkiv on Wednesday and Thursday. They discussed the return of 90,000 Ukrainians from Norway to their country after a stable ceasefire was enacted. During one of the meetings, an air raid alarm sounded, and members of the Norwegian government had to flee to a shelter.
Head of Norwegian diplomacy: There was no question of any mistake
In an interview with the newspaper VG, Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide recounted that a missile struck dangerously close to their location, and a bomb landed in a schoolyard where many children had been playing shortly before. Given Kharkiv’s proximity to the Russian border—just several dozen kilometers away—he dismissed the possibility of it being a mistake. Eide stated that Russia was fully aware of its targets, viewing the incident as clear evidence that Moscow is escalating its attacks and deliberately striking civilian areas, rather than working toward ending the war.
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 stressed that discussing the possibility of lifting sanctions at this stage is premature.
