The Ukrainian president is furious with NATO for failing to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Norway’s foreign minister understood him, but couldn’t help the president.

– I understand it very well, but if NATO enters this war, it will escalate further. So unfortunately there is no solution, Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt told VG.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has for several days asked NATO to guarantee a no-fly zone, but NATO will not do so.

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj published a video in which he strongly opposes NATO, which holds a summit on Friday.

– Today, the alliance has given the green light for the bombing of Ukrainian cities and villages, by refusing to create a no-fly zone. You could close the airspace, the president said.

Zelensky appeared displeased with NATO’s decision not to establish a no-fly zone.

– Everyone who will die from today will die because of you. Because of their weakness, because of their lack of unity, Zelensky said, according to axio.

VG on Saturday was in contact with NATO headquarters, which would not comment on Zelenskyj’s accusations other than referring to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement on Friday, in which he reiterated that NATO will not do anything to make the alliance a party to the war.

Ola Elvestuen of the Liberal Party also understands Zelenskyj’s statement.

– I totally understand the anger he has. Ukraine is in a desperate battle, says Elvestuen.

However, it is not an option for NATO to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

– Sharp open military confrontation between the world’s largest nuclear powers is not the way to go.

Strap alarm

– Maybe he did it to make Russia a little bit more advanced, and to sound the alarm, says Tom Røseth professor at the Staff College at Armed Forces College.

Russia has retained most of its capacity in terms of its air force, according to Røseth.

He thinks Zelensky is afraid that Russia will increase its use of bombers and missiles, and that is why he is now strongly opposed to NATO.

– There are two reasons. A hope to help, of course. And second, stating the world’s opinion that this is something they fear will come.

Minimum contact

Russia’s attack on Ukraine means that Norway reduces contact with Russian authorities to a minimum, on par with other European countries and allies, the government wrote in a press release Saturday morning.

– This is not something we do with a light heart, but it is necessary to react. Russia must understand that it is they who hold the key to ending this relationship again. “Our actions are aimed at the political regime, not the Russian people,” said Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

Human-to-human cooperation across borders in the north has long been a challenge as a result of the highly authoritarian developments in Russia.

– Meetings at the Arctic Council and the Barents Council have been postponed until further notice. “We will discuss how further cooperation can and should be pursued in the future,” said Foreign Minister Huitfeldt.