Norway calls on Moscow to ease tensions on Ukraine’s border

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway has called on Moscow to stop building up its military forces on the border with Ukraine.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to the statement posted on the Norwegian ministry’s website.

­“Norway is seriously concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in and around Ukraine. Norway calls on Russia to reduce tension by immediately reversing its military deployments, and by using its influence on the armed formations it backs to curb the ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry notes that in recent weeks Russia has escalated tension through large military deployments in and around Ukraine. At the same time there has been a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations driven by the armed formations in eastern Ukraine, which the Russian Federation supplies with weapons, equipment and personnel.

The Norwegian Foreign Ministry also stresses that Russia’s occupation and militarisation of the Crimean Peninsula, including recent deployments, are clear violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law. Russia’s military deployments on its own territory, close to the border with Ukraine, constitute a deliberate escalation of tension.

“Sadly, the progress achieved through the strengthened ceasefire in eastern Ukraine that started on 27 July 2020 has been reversed by the recent actions of Russia and the armed formations it backs. We urge Russia to return to the negotiating table and in good faith seek a peaceful solution, starting by a renewed ceasefire,” said the minister.

iy