NATO Crisis Update 1- "A new NATO base in Norway"

Norway and Russia share a 196-km-lοng bοrder and a maritime bοundary that extends almost to the Nοrth Pοle. Norway's proximity to Russia makes the country vulnerable and forces some difficult choices.

Beginning on the 4th of December, in great secrecy, rigorous and fast-paced construction of a new NATO military installation began not far east of the town of Kirkenes, a Norwegian town that is a stone's throw from Russia, and was - for over three decades - a symbol of cross-border harmony in the Arctic. That all changed when Russia invaded Ukraine.

The new NATO base would employ 2,000 soldiers, and 40,000 tonnes of military equipment including a Cruise Missile Submarine and a Ballistic Missile Submarine.

Four days later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is informed by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB RF) that it is military infrastructure that is being set up by NATO forces, with plans of soon expanding such activities in Finland too.

Sergey Lavrov declares that the new NATO military bases are meant to destabilise the region and cause further conflict.

NATO’s Official Position is that the new centre will improve its regional situational awareness and understanding of the threats, challenges and opportunities emanating from the region with hopes that in the near future a broad range of practical cooperation will develop in the region.

An hour later, early in the afternoon, Sergey Shoigu warns that Russia will take the necessary measures to “restore military balance” by strengthening its defences in the Baltic Sea region, including by deploying nuclear weapons.

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