The Russian Embassy in Norway warned of “consequences” after Norway invited up to 700 U.S. Marines to the country.
“We qualify them as clearly unfriendly and they will not remain without consequences,” the Russian Embassy wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday, referring to Norway’s actions.
If the U.S. agrees to Norway’s invitation, the number of Marines in the country could more than double, according to The Marine Corps Times. Approximately 300 Marines have been in Norway in six-month rotations for “extreme cold weather training” since 2017. The additional Marines will likely be stationed closer to the Russian border than other Marines already in central Norway, according to Reuters.
More Marines in Norway is “contrary to the Norwegian decision from 1949 about ‘not to open bases for foreign country’s forces on Norwegian territory as long as Norway is not attacked or exposed to threats of attack,'” according to the post. (RELATED: Norway To Ask For Larger US Marine Presence On Russia’s Doorstep)
However, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide had stated there “are no American bases on Norwegian soil” two days earlier, according to Reuters.
The U.S. Marines are preparing for “missions in any environment,” according to a 2017 video about law enforcement Marines on the Corps website. (RELATED: Marine Guard Hospitalized After Accidental Shooting Outside USMC Commandant Home)
“Getting to train with the Norwegians is a great opportunity because of the fact that most Marines will only train with other Marines, so you get set in that way that you’re trained to do,” said Lance Cpl. Gloria Lepko in the video. “Getting to see the Norwegians do it as well gives us ideas to implement into our methods.”
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