On Friday, Norway summoned Russia’s ambassador to Norway on the carpet. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor Party) told the press that he delivered Norway’s message to the ambassador, before he left the room.

– This is not the time for dialogue. Not with the Russian ambassador. It is Putin who must take responsibility and stop this meaningless invasion, the foreign minister said after the meeting.

The Foreign Minister denied that he shouted at the ambassador.

– No, I don’t yell at people. I am clear and different.

– Just a lie

During the meeting, he accused Russia of lying.

– Russia has said that it has no intention of entering Ukraine. Then I said that now it turned out to be just a lie.

Huitfeldt further explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin had lied to the rest of the world, mocking world leaders who warned of possible attacks.

– That’s meaningless. He kept saying they shouldn’t attack. That they should back off, that it was just practice. Then the worst prediction came true, Huitfeldt continued.

Will affect the relationship

It has been days since the Russian president recognized the breakaway eastern Ukrainian republic as an independent state, while at the same time sending “peacekeeping troops” to the area.

Norway’s foreign minister explained that the trip was the reason why he had only now met with the ambassador.

He further said that the situation would affect relations between Norway and Russia, but it was too early to say to what extent.

Currently, Huitfeldt does not want to interfere with purely practical cooperation with Russia, for example in the field of fisheries.

– We don’t benefit from misunderstandings.

– Real hell is here now

A little hope

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj asked the Russian president to convene a meeting on Friday, according to Reuters.

After meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Putin will now be ready for new negotiations.

“Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine at a high level,” said Putin Ria Russia.

Even though hopes of a diplomatic solution are low, Norway remains open to all diplomatic opportunities, Huitfeldt explained.

Several countries, including the EU, UK and US, have imposed sanctions on Russia. The Foreign Minister did not promise further action from Norway.

– The most important thing Norway is doing now is to stand together with the Ukrainian people, and stand together with our allies. This is a Norwegian tradition.

It is not currently being considered for expelling the Russian ambassador from Norway.