24 September 2026

Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre warned against allowing the world to become accustomed to Russia’s occupation of Crimea

“I think this is an opportunity again to recall that history has to be remembered. Russia’s war against Ukraine did not start in 2022. Sometimes it’s referred to February that year, of course, a massive invasion, but it started back in 2014.”

Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre has issued a statement regarding ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing the critical need to preserve historical accuracy and prevent the international community from growing accustomed to the unlawful occupation of Ukrainian territory.

He specifically drew attention to the human rights dimension of the occupation and the plight of the Crimean Tatars, noting the painful history of a community whose families faced deportation in 1944 and are now facing the loss of their homeland for a second time.

“The UN monitors have documented enforced disappearances, cases of torture, and efforts to suppress dissenting voices, fabricated terrorism charges, long sentences, and prisoners who are transferred away, far away from their families, which is another violation of the Geneva Convention,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that independent UN monitoring mechanisms must continuously document these crimes to ensure that the passage of time does not render an illegal occupation normalized or accepted.

“The risk today is not that the world condemns the occupation too little. It is that the world grows used to it. That is what we have to work against. Russia must end its aggression and withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine, including Crimea,” concluded Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway reaffirms its steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and remains committed to upholding international law alongside its global partners.