US troops stationed in Norway worsening tensions: Russia
Moscow has said that the continued presence of US troops on Norwegian soil will increase tensions with Russia.
Norway recently announced that 330 US marines will remain stationed in a base in the country until the end of 2018, doubling the initially-announced one-year trial period for the troops' deployment.
The US troops were sent to the Norwegian base last January for winter warfare and cross-country skiing practice and to take part in joint drills with other NATO countries.
"We consider that this step contradicts Norwegian policy of not deploying foreign military bases in the country in times of peace," said a statement released by the Russian embassy in Norway on Saturday.
It adds that it "makes Norway (a) not fully predictable partner, can also escalate tension, and lead to destabilization of the situation in the Northern region."
Read More:
- Russia baffled by talk of US troop deployment to neighboring Norway
- US troops to be stationed in Norway over security: Oslo
- Oslo, Washington mulling marine deployment on Nordic soil
Norway denies that the troops' deployment is directed against Russia. “A high level of regular allied presence creates a stabilizing state of normality in times of peace, which contributes to deterrence and defense," said Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide earlier in the week.
NATO troops have, on numerous occasions, been deployed to the country to take part in military drills, but were not stationed there.
The last time foreign troops were deployed there was when Russian Red Army soldiers were stationed in northern Norway after they drove out German forces, which had occupied Norway from 1940 to 1945.
Scholz-Putin phone call opens ‘Pandora’s box’: Zelensky
Russia warns Israel against airstrikes near its airbase in Syria
Iran, Russia, Turkey condemn Israeli atrocities in West Asia
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
Ukraine war will end ‘sooner’ with return of Trump: Zelensky
Pro-Palestine rally held in Seoul
Beit Lahiya massacre: Tens of Palestinians killed in Israeli strike
VIDEO | Israel wages 145 attacks on Lebanon in one day
Inglorious legacy: Biden will go down in history as killer of Palestinian children
Trump’s allies told to avoid racist language making them ‘look like Nazis’
Time for Iranian-Arab economic convergence
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
