The Russian Embassy in Norway assessed the impact of sanctions on trade between Moscow and Oslo

Anti-Russian sanctions have dealt a devastating blow to bilateral trade between Russia and Norway. This was reported to Izvestia on May 14 at the Russian Embassy in Norway.

"Today, Russian-Norwegian relations are experiencing the deepest crisis since the end of World War II. The political dialogue and contacts between the regions have been terminated, and industry cooperation has been blocked. The sanctions have dealt a devastating blow to bilateral trade. We cannot but be concerned that our neighboring country, which until recently took a responsible approach to maintaining low tension in high latitudes, is seeking to inflict a "strategic defeat" on the Russian Federation, the Russian diplomatic mission said.

The embassy noted that May 14 marks the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the Russian-Norwegian border. On this day in 1826, a "Treaty between His Majesty the Emperor of All Russia and His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway on the borders between Russia and Norway in the Lapland churchyards" was concluded in St. Petersburg.

"The history of the Russian-Norwegian border goes back even further into the centuries. Its foundation was laid 700 years ago, in 1326, when the Novgorod Republic and the Kingdom of Norway concluded a peace treaty that settled conflicts and disputes in the North for centuries," the ministry noted.

The diplomats stressed that Moscow and Oslo maintain bilateral cooperation in the field of fisheries, which this year also marks its 50th anniversary — the 50th anniversary of the signing of the agreements in the field of fisheries between the USSR and Norway, which became the basis for joint management of the Barents Sea fisheries resources.

"It is necessary to remember that Russia and Norway are neighbors, and to take a pragmatic approach to resolving issues of mutual interest. The objective picture is that Russia and Norway are "doomed" to cooperate. Our countries are not just neighbors – as Arctic states, we bear a special responsibility for the fate of the Arctic region, where effective solution of urgent tasks and problems involves joint efforts," concluded Russian Ambassador to Oslo Nikolai Korchunov.

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Glenn Diesen, Professor of Southeastern Norway, announced on May 12 that the head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, should leave her post if the European Union (EU) is interested in restoring diplomatic ties with Russia. The expert pointed out that Callas holds radical views. He noted that she had also "stopped all diplomacy" to continue the conflict.

Sevim Dagdelen, foreign policy expert of the German BSW party, on May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to make ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder a mediator in possible negotiations between Russia and the European Union should be welcomed. She said that at the moment there is silence on the German side towards Russia, so it would be extremely important to resume dialogue.

On May 9, Putin named Schroeder as Europe's preferred negotiator for contacts with Moscow. Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of Southeastern Norway, added on May 7 that attitudes towards establishing a diplomatic dialogue with the Russian side may change in Europe.