The expert rejected Norway's rapprochement with the European Union after the parliamentary elections

Nothing will change in Norway's foreign policy regarding Russia and EU membership after the last parliamentary elections, all transformations will take place in the internal life of the country. This was stated on September 15 in a comment to Izvestia by Ivan Skripka, a junior researcher at the Institute of Europe's Country Studies department.

According to the results of the parliamentary elections on September 8, the Norwegian Workers' Party (NRP), led by Social Democrat Jonas Garstere, received 28% of the vote and was able to remain in power for another four years.

"If we talk about foreign policy, I don't think there will be any changes, the whole policy will remain the same, because all the disagreements within the red-green bloc are focused on domestic policy. Accordingly, relations with the Russian Federation will not change either, I think," the expert said.

In his opinion, the country's authorities will continue to support Europe's anti-Russian sanctions packages, making their own adjustments to them.

In addition, according to him, before the elections, there was an active discussion about the possibility of Norway joining the European Union (EU) and holding a referendum on this issue.

"One of the parties is Venstre, which failed to gain 4% to enter parliament, they promised to initiate this referendum, but the left—wing government will most likely not do this either, that is, there will be no rapprochement with the EU, everything will remain at the same level," the specialist said.

Norway's cooperation with Russia will undoubtedly continue and develop in the field of fisheries. In all other areas, according to the researcher, it is not expected. As for Ukraine, the Norwegian authorities intend to continue to support the Kiev regime. The head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Daniil Getmantsev, has already stated that among the possible sources of financing for the country is assistance from Germany and Norway, which promised to allocate more than € 8 billion.

"€8 billion includes both financing and supplies of ready-made humanitarian aid and military aid. That is, humanitarian aid and helmets, and some kind of weapons. <...> Most likely, Norway will indeed keep these funds, will keep the aid. I would even expect Norway to increase its budget, albeit slightly. There is such a possibility. Maybe it's a sign of help in a difficult situation," he added.

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On September 12, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, called Norway a "false peacemaker" who uses arms supplies to Ukraine to enrich himself "on blood" in the interests of a narrow group of people. Zakharova added that in Oslo, this business "is invariably presented as an alleged contribution to democracy, to certain democratic values, and to European security."

Earlier, on August 24, Norway provided Ukraine with air defense equipment worth about 7 billion kronor (more than $695 million). In addition, it was clarified that Norway and Germany would jointly purchase two Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems for Ukraine, including missiles.

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