NATO Must Keep Presence on All Flanks, Norway’s Defense Minister Says

Norway's Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik during an interview in Oslo, on March 20. Photo by Siv Dolmen /Photographer: Siv Dolmen/BloombeArticle content(Bloomberg) — NATO must avoid any retrenchment along the flanks of the military bloc to maintain credible deterrence against Russian aggression at the time when the US is focused on the war in the Middle East, according to the Norwegian defense minister.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe visibility of Norway’s defense forces in the Arctic and elsewhere in its neighborhood is critical, Tore O. Sandvik said in an interview in Oslo on Friday, highlighting that the fossil-fuel-rich nation supplies almost 40% of Europe’s natural gas as the Iran war is disrupting global energy supplies. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“Now it’s more important than ever that we are present here when the Americans have their attention elsewhere,” Sandvik said. “We, our maritime capabilities, must hold the reins here, and that is also emphasized across NATO.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentSandvik spoke after US President Donald Trump earlier this week stepped up calls for other nations, especially European allies, to aid the US in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. European leaders have declined to provide military help, saying the focus should be on handling the war’s financial fallout. Trump has since said he needs no assistance.Article contentNorway is one of the members of the NATO alliance that shares a border with Russia. While the Nordic nation has boosted bilateral defense ties with the UK, Germany and France, it has also sought to play up its importance for US security in monitoring Russia’s nuclear-armed Northern Fleet near its frontier. Article contentMilitary cooperation with the US “is very good now,” even as the superpower “has become a more unpredictable partner in NATO,” Sandvik said. Article content“It’s not a NATO war that is ongoing in the Middle East,” he said, echoing earlier comments by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and many other European leaders. He also said there’s “no evidence that China or Russia will get involved in the Middle East.”Article contentSandvik rejected local media reports that Norway is considering scaling down its planned purchase of five frigates under its £10 billion ($13.3 billion) deal with the UK, due to the overall increase in rearmament cost. Norway will buy “five to six” frigates, he said.Article contentThe British vessels are specifically designed to detect, track down and combat Russian submarines, one of Norway’s and NATO’s top priorities in the Arctic. Article contentTrending TC Energy could be open to return to B.C. LNG pipeline project as global gas crunch threatens Oil & Gas Garry Marr: Why it could be the right time to walk away from your real estate Personal Finance Posthaste: Canada sets two new population records as 'demographic engine' backfires News Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor Public-private partnership launches $1.3-billion fund to purchase unsold GTA condos Real Estate Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. TC Energy could be open to return to B.C. LNG pipeline project as global gas crunch threatens Oil & Gas Garry Marr: Why it could be the right time to walk away from your real estate Personal Finance Posthaste: Canada sets two new population records as 'demographic engine' backfires News Dennis, 79, is worried about a market crash. Should he move his portfolio to 100% income? Investor Public-private partnership launches $1.3-billion fund to purchase unsold GTA condos Real Estate