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NATO member Norway on Wednesday cancelled all military activities with Russia until the end of the year, citing developments in Ukraine.
“After the illegal annexation of Crimea, Russia has contributed to further destabilize the situation in Ukraine,” Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said.
“Based on an assessment of the situation in Ukraine and Russian actions, the government has decided to continue the suspension of all bilateral military activities until the end of 2014,” the minister said.
In March, Norway had announced it would cancel several activities with Russia, including a visit by Russia’s navy chief, and review the bilateral cooperation at the end of May.
The move announced Wednesday affects 15 visits and activities that were planned for this year, including a visit by Russia’s army chief and talks between the two countries’ officials.
Norway, however, will continue to cooperate on search and rescue operations at sea and border security with Russia. The countries would also uphold a bilateral treaty, the Incidents at Sea Agreement, aimed at preventing dangerous situations from arising when vessels and military aircraft from each country operate near each other, the Defence Ministry said.
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