US stations troops in Norway

The Norwegian Defence Ministry said that around 1000 kilometres from the Russian border 330 Marines would be stationed at the Vaernes military base by 2017.

Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide commented this agreement: «This US initiative is welcome and also fits well within ongoing processes in NATO to increase exercises, training and interoperability within the Alliance».

In turn, the Russian embassy in Oslo expressed surprise to the stationing US troops in Norway.

Moreover, embassy spokesman Maxim Gourov said in his statement: «Taking into account multiple statements made by Norwegian officials about the absence of threat from Russia to Norway, we would like to understand why Norway is so much willing to increase its military potential, in particular through the stationing of American forces in Vaernes».