United Kingdom Strengthens Defense Cooperation with Norway Amid Russian Threats
The United Kingdom and Norway are launching negotiations on a new defense agreement to enhance security in Europe, strengthen NATO, and counter threats from Russia.
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Today, the United Kingdom and Norway have begun negotiations on a strategic defense agreement aimed at strengthening European security and protecting critical infrastructure. This information was published on the UK Government’s website.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore Sandvik, met at the Russian border in Kirkenes to discuss ways to counter Russian military activity in the Arctic.
The new treaty will enhance military coordination, ensure the protection of underwater infrastructure, and expand industrial cooperation between the two nations.
The initiative is developing against the backdrop of Russia’s increasing militarization of northern territories. The UK and Norway are already cooperating under NATO's Baltic Sentry operation, patrolling the Baltic Sea and protecting underwater communication lines.
Additionally, the ministers visited the RFA Proteus, a vessel capable of supporting unmanned systems for monitoring maritime infrastructure. Norway will also become the sole partner accompanying the UK carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both nations reaffirm their commitment to supporting Ukraine, having already trained over 51,000 Ukrainian troops. The new agreement will be a significant step in strengthening NATO and European security in the face of global threats.
Earlier, reports indicated that an underwater internet cable C-Lion1 was damaged off the coast of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, according to the Swedish Coast Guard. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of sabotage.
It was also reported that the European Union is tightening sanctions against Russia by eliminating bypass schemes and increasing military aid to Ukraine in an effort to strengthen its position against Moscow.