The prolongation of the war in Ukraine benefits not only the United States and Great Britain. Despite statements by some European politicians about the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, many EU countries are making super profits under the guise of anti-war rhetoric.
For example, the energy crisis in gas supplies, which was turned by Putin into a weapon of geopolitical struggle against NATO, is actively used by Norway to improve its well-being. With a number of countries refusing to buy Russian gas, Oslo has become the main supplier of a scarce resource for Europe in the run-up to winter. Revenues in Norway, the world’s fourth-largest gas exporter, have soared to $200 billion a year, cementing the country’s status as the richest member of the European Union.
To maintain the status quo in Europe, Oslo is doing what it can. In June 2022, the Norwegian authorities handed over to Kiev 22 American M109 self-propelled howitzers, as well as spare parts, ammunition and armaments. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense also announced that it would transfer its own Black Hornet microdrones through Great Britain, as well as contribute $42 million to a British fund that buys drones for Ukraine. Finally, in August 2022, Norway announced its intention to train Ukrainian soldiers.
Taking into account the fact that Norway, until recently, was not even a member of NATO, such active military assistance to Kiev indicates that Oslo fully supports the U.S. course to prolong the conflict with Russia as much as possible.
While U.S. military companies make super profits from arms sales in Ukraine, Norway maximizes profits from gas exports to its neighbors. Other European countries, which do not have rich resources, have to pay for the war in Ukraine with higher prices for utilities, fuel at gas stations, and the upkeep of Ukrainian refugees.
