NORWAY, RELATIONS WITH

As a result of the Soviet annexation of Finland’s Petsamo (Pechenzhskii raion) region, Norway and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) gained a common border in 1946. Three years later, Norway abandoned four decades of neutrality and joined theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) as an original member, creating a tense relationship with the USSR. This rivalry grew in intensity with the establishment of theWarsaw Treaty Organizationin 1955 and the discovery and exploitation ofoilin theBarents Sea.However, Oslo generally pursued a pragmatic approach to the Kremlin during theCold War, deemphasizing the defense of its Finnmark region adjacent to theMurmansk Oblastand rejecting proposals to hostnuclear weaponson its soil (though Norway was and is a major site for radar installations monitoring Russianmilitarymovements).

Underglasnost, Russian-Norwegian exchanges greatly expanded, being based upon cultural commonalities of the Fenno-Scandinavian Peninsula and resumption of cross-border trade. Cooperation on joint energy projects has helped improve relations between the two counties since 1991. Norway has also proved to be an effective facilitator of improved NATO-Russian relations in the post-Soviet era. During theKursksubmarine disasterin 2000, the Norwegian navy provided substantial aid to Russia. Recently, competition forArctic Oceanresources (particularly fossil fuels and fisheries) and delimitation of maritime borders has come to the fore in bilateral relations.Environmentalconcerns also impact relations; Oslo is particularly sensitive to transborderpollutionfromNorilskNickel’s smelting in Russia’s extreme northwest.

A significant number ofethnic RussiansandUkrainiansreside in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard on Spitsbergen, a situation allowed under the Paris Treaty of 1920. Under thePutinadministration, settlement and investment has increased after a decade of stagnation. In 2008, the Russiannavyconducted war games off the coast of Bergen, much to dismay of NATO and Norway. Conservative politicians in Norway have been particularly critical of Moscow’s actions in theCaucasus, suggesting such moves represent a resurgence of Russian imperialism that might eventually be directed at Norway.

See alsoBaltic States.