Norwegian ministers caught in Kharkiv shelter amid Russian assault
During their visit to Kharkiv, Norwegian ministers had to seek shelter from a Russian attack. The head of Norwegian diplomacy emphasised 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 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 Labour Minister Tonje Brenna visited Kharkiv on Wednesday and Thursday. They were discussing the return of 90,000 Ukrainians from Norway to their country after a stable ceasefire is 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
A missile fell very close to the place where we were staying. A bomb hit a schoolyard where many children were playing just moments earlier. Kharkiv is located roughly 80 kilometres (about 50 miles) from the Russian border, so there is no question of any mistake. The Russians knew exactly what they were doing. This is the clearest evidence that Moscow is intensifying attacks and targeting civilian areas instead of preparing to end the war, said the head of Norwegian diplomacy in an interview with the newspaper VG Eide.
The head of diplomacy added that the authorities in Kyiv are tensely following the talks between the Russian Federation and the Americans. They clearly emphasise that they need both Europe and the USA, but are concerned about the unclear stance of the Donald Trump administration towards 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. As a condition for establishing a ceasefire in the Black Sea, the Kremlin demanded lifting restrictions on Russian banks.
Eide stressed that it is still premature to discuss any potential easing of sanctions.
