Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvi said on March 25 that the United States remains committed to Europe’s defense.
“We have had it confirmed from both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and from Trump himself to several European leaders, that the U.S. stands behind Article 5,” he added, referring to the NATO article enshrining collective security. Norway, like the United States, is a founding member of NATO.
The comments come amid a change in policy under U.S. President Donald Trump, as his administration has urged Europe to shoulder more responsibility for its defense.
Last week, the EU’s executive branch unveiled its “Readiness 2030” security strategy, which urges member countries to buy most of their military equipment in Europe, working primarily with European suppliers and, in some cases, with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders.
“The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the time. “We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense, technological, and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defense equipment.”
The EU expects the strategy will generate more than 800 billion euros ($869 billion) for defense spending. It also has plans to provide 150 billion euros ($163 billion) in loans to member states for defense investment.
Despite the plans for a more militarily independent Europe, Sandvik said on March 25 that U.S. support for Europe remains steadfast.
“For those who fear that the U.S. will not be there when needed, the answer is: ‘increased responsibility for your own security,’” he said. “Europe must take a bigger share of responsibility so that the U.S. lives up to its commitments.”
Norway reached the 2 percent defense spending target in 2024 and is planning to double defense spending by 2036 from current levels.
The Norwegian government may have to spend more, according to Sandvik.
“We are two-and-half months in a 12-year long-term defense plan, and already we see that we have to revise it,” Sandvik said, declining to give specifics.
Norway is NATO’s monitor for the area of the North Atlantic used by the Russian Northern Fleet’s nuclear submarines, which is 2 million square kilometers (about 772,200 square miles).
According to Washington think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Kola Peninsula in northwest Russia, which borders Norway, is strategically important to Russia.
It hosts Russia’s most advanced Arctic land, air, and naval assets, including its nuclear arsenal and second-strike capabilities.
“We have a good dialogue with the Americans about this collaboration, which is extremely important for them,” Sandvik said.
Kubilius said that the amount was needed to urgently adapt rail, road, sea, and air corridors to facilitate the swift movement of troops and equipment across the EU in the event of conflict.
“When the war comes, you need to have your industry developed on a high level in order to maintain, repair, and produce new weapons. And you also need to have such an industry not far away from a possible conflict zone,” Kubilius said.
