Norway's PM says Russia build-up is 'a sign of weakness'

Norway’s prime minister, whose country borders Russia and is a founding member of NATO, said on Wednesday he believes it’s “a sign of weakness” that President Vladimir Putin has to express Moscow’s political views by an “extraordinary” military buildup.

Jonas Gahr Støre said in an interview with The Associated Press that he calls it a sign of weakness because it’s at the negotiating table where issues that matter to people should be discussed, not by “that kind of military demonstration,” and by pursuing Russia’s interests where “the weapons will speak.”

He said he thinks Putin’s demand now for guarantees -- including that NATO will never admit neighbouring Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations as members -- is a result of the loss of post-Cold War communications channels and dialogue that led to differences being settled through negotiations following after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

“So there have been more kind of animosity and destructive relations among countries that need to engage,” Støre said.

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade neighbouring Ukraine, but the U.S. and its NATO allies are worried about Russia deploying an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine and launching a series of sweeping military manoeuvers. The Norwegian prime minister said his country sees this buildup with part of Russia’s Northern Fleet “sailing along our coast.”

“Politically, for me, it is a sign of weakness in a way that you have to express your views and your interest by that kind of military demonstration, because it is at the table when you deal with the issues that matter to people,” Støre said.

Russia warned Wednesday it would quickly take “retaliatory measures” if the U.S. and its