Researcher: Heavier weaponry from Norway could escalate the Ukraine war
Julie Wilhelmsen at the NUPI says it is logical that Norway contributes more weapons to Ukraine but warns that Norway could contribute to an escalation of the war.
Earlier this week, the United States announced that Norway was among several countries sending heavier weaponry to Ukraine. For security reasons, the Norwegian authorities have not confirmed the information.
The weapons in question are armored vehicles of the type M109, which means that Norway is sending artillery. It is much heavier weaponry than what has been sent before, the newspaper Klassekampen writes.
“One must be aware that Norway’s contribution naturally falls into a larger investment on the part of the United States, which send increasingly heavier weapons – to a greater extent. It can be about more than enabling Ukraine to defend itself,” Wilhelmsen added.
A conflict between powers
She pointed out that the war could change from a purely defensive war to, increasingly, a conflict between the great powers. And the danger of escalation has increased, Wilhelmsen believes.
“Firstly, because no one seems interested in negotiations. Secondly, if there are such large arms supplies from the West that the Kremlin thinks it is realistic that Ukraine can take back Crimea by force, the Kremlin will act violently. I am convinced of that,” she said.
The M109 cannons have a range of about 30 kilometers.
“This is the heaviest artillery Norway has,” Colonel Kristian Lien, head of artillery and air defense at the Army Armed Forces, said.
Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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