German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Norwegian Chancellor Jonas Gahr-Stre will discuss with NATO leaders on Wednesday the involvement of the alliance in future operations to protect critical undersea infrastructure such as gas pipelines and fiber optic cables. said it was planned.
The store says Norway has already stepped up its vigilance in such places. Russian invasion of Ukraineand then Nordstream gas pipeline sabotage.
Storz was in the German capital on Wednesday to attend bilateral talks and the Berlin Security Conference with Scholz.
“The Prime Minister and I have agreed to propose an informal initiative to strengthen the security of subsea infrastructure.
“This is real blood. [the] Circulation of the modern economy. And we today, together with the NATO Secretary General, raise how military, civil and police coordination can be strengthened to do this. We want it to move forward. NATO applies. How can we work with the private sector? We believe this is the right thing to do. “
The Store also discussed the proposal with DW on Wednesday, saying some European partners have already offered to work more closely with Norway. In 2021 Norway will Second largest supplier of natural gas in the EU But after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Russian gas imports for the bloc of 27 countries fell dramatically in 2022.
“We have 90 platforms on the shelf and about 9,000 kilometers of pipeline. For example, Germany, United alongside the Kingdom, France, Holland, [now] Let’s sail together more aggressively,” Store told DW.
The proposal to NATO is designed to explore ways to expand existing operations and consider the alliance’s potential coordinating role.
NATO welcomes idea, further talks on Thursday
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Berlin for the conference and is scheduled to meet further with Scholz on Thursday. In an emailed statement to Reuters, Stoltenberg said he welcomed the proposal.
“After the recent sabotage of the Nodestream pipeline, we are stepping up our efforts and will do more to ensure our offshore infrastructure is kept safe from future vandalism. is essential,” he said.
Russia has denied any involvement in sabotaging the Nord Stream pipeline and tried to accuse the UK, but the UK insists it was not involved.
Scholz: Russia cannot win militarily in Ukraine
Both Scholz and Stoor condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine at the Berlin Security Council.
“Russia, I am convinced of this, that we cannot and will not win this war on the battlefield any more. Critical infrastructure, water and energy pipelines, ruthless attacks on cities and towns is a terrifying, scorching and hopeless strategy at the same time: Earth,” Scholz said.
“Russia must be aware. We will support Ukraine as long as it is necessary,” Scholz said, switching the final phrase to English. “With economic, financial and humanitarian aid, rebuilding destroyed energy infrastructure, and with arms.”
Meanwhile, Store told defense analysts and reporters gathered in the German capital that Russia was “lose a ground battle When … Strike back with fear from the sky“We need to help Ukraine in that situation.”
He said the war must be stopped, but only one side really has the power to ensure this.
“If Russia stops the war, the war will stop. If Ukraine stops the war, Ukraine will disappear. It’s a very important issue, for all the free nations of Europe,” Stoor said. “And Norway is aware of this and we will meet the challenge together with Germany.”
Germany seeks nuclear-capable F-35 as part of NATO deterrence
The two leaders Major changes in defense spending and policy Conflict started.
Scholz said some of this would amount to a significant increase in Germany’s defense spending.
He said Berlin was taking “very seriously” the “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric” emerging from Moscow, but would not be “threatened by it”.
He said Germany’s response was to stick to the red line of never allowing nuclear war to become a reality.He said he was pleased that Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to this principle. Scholz’s controversial visit to Beijing at the beginning of the month. He also welcomed the inclusion of a reference to this commitment to never start a nuclear war in the recent G20 summit declaration.
“As long as a state like Russia possesses nuclear weapons as part of its threat arsenal, NATO of course needs a credible deterrent capability. means to
“That is why we have decided to acquire F-35 fighter jets in the coming years and continue Germany’s contribution to the alliance’s nuclear capabilities in the future. It’s a message and a contribution to burden-sharing in the Alliance,” Scholz said.
Purchasing new nuclear-capable F-35sThe ability of German pilots to fly with US nuclear weapons stored in Germany in the event of a nuclear conflict has been a sensitive issue for successive German governments, particularly Scholz’s Coalition.
Germany is not a nuclear power, but critics say the U.S. ability to deliver warheads puts Germany in name only. Traditionally, not only the Green Party in particular, but also elements of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party have been lukewarm or even opposed to the idea of so-called nuclear sharing.
Scholz said it hopes to secure the first contract for its defense spending program, including the F-35 and a Puma infantry fighting vehicle conversion signed next year.
Norway plans more Ukraine aid, plans broader energy relief
The Norwegian store said during a visit to Berlin that his coalition government in Oslo would announce a major package of long-term financial aid to Ukraine as part of the 2023 budget.
He also hinted that major fossil fuel exporters are looking for ways to help resource-poor European countries cope with rising prices caused in no small part by Russian aggression.
“It is right that Norway is in an advantageous position as an energy exporter at the moment and that is a special incentive to drive how we help Ukraine survive this first year as well as the next. It’s also why we give them four or five years,” says Store. “The package we are proposing to parliament will essentially consist of aid to Ukraine, but it will also include elements of aid to countries outside of Ukraine that are currently suffering from food and energy prices.”
The visiting prime minister also discussed the issue with DW early on Wednesday, stating that “hoping to see the price of energy fall is a very fair request,” adding that “if you have high and volatile energy We can say that it is not in Norwegian interest to have a European price.”
Store told audiences in Berlin that declining gas imports from Russia had made Norway the single largest supplier to Germany since the war began.
Editor: Sean Sinico
