Norway: Red Party Defends Støre’s Putin Diplomacy
Bjørnar Moxnes, Norway’s Red Party foreign affairs spokesperson, praises Støre’s Putin call and says support for Ukraine should go hand in hand with diplomacy.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre deserves credit for speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bjørnar Moxnes writes in a Facebook post. The Red Party (Rødt) spokesperson argues that Norway should actively pursue a just peace while supporting Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
He presents the initiative as an example of the approach his party has advocated.
“Support for Ukraine’s rightful struggle to defend itself does not conflict with Norway working actively through diplomacy for a just end to the war,” Moxnes writes.
“Now Støre is demonstrating our point.”
The October 27 call, made alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, was conducted in consultation with Ukraine, according to the Norwegian government.
Challenges Trump’s Diplomatic Role
Moxnes argues that US President Donald Trump has dominated diplomatic efforts for too long. He accuses Trump of using negotiations mainly to pressure Ukraine into yielding to Russia.
He welcomes Norway and Finland’s involvement because it gives other supporters of Ukraine a more active role. In his words, the “Putin-friendly Trump regime” should not have the field to itself.
Moxnes also calls on Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to drop her criticism of Støre and Stubb. He argues that Norway and Finland, as Russia’s neighbors, can maintain dialogue with Moscow without seeking approval from Denmark or the European Union.
“The same applies to Sylvi Listhaug,” he adds.
Listhaug Questions European Coordination
Sylvi Listhaug, leader of Norway’s Progress Party, had been informed about the call beforehand. She told Aftenposten that she had understood it was cleared with other European countries. Her reported reaction concerns that coordination.
Conservative Party leader Ine Eriksen Søreide supports delivering clear messages directly to Putin within a shared European strategy. Liberal Party leader Guri Melby and acting Green Party leader Ingrid Liland also emphasize coordination with allies.
Moxnes’ support for the initiative is shared by Christian Democratic Party leader Dag-Inge Ulstein. Ulstein argues that Norway’s prime minister must be able to speak with Russia even when European partners object.
“On this point, Støre has my full support,” Ulstein told Norwegian news agency NTB.
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