Defence Secretary John Healey has cautioned that ongoing talks between the United States and Russia must not divert attention from the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that such a shift in focus could risk “jeopardising the peace.”
Speaking during a visit to Finnmark, Norway, which he described as “Nato’s front line,” Mr Healey underscored the broader threat posed by Moscow’s administration, asserting that “Russian aggression is not confined to Ukraine.”
His remarks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised former US President Donald Trump for spreading misinformation. Mr Zelensky was notably excluded from recent US-Russia discussions, prompting him to accuse Mr Trump of “living in this disinformation space.”
‘One country illegally invaded another’
During his visit to the Russian border, Mr Healey rejected any suggestion that Ukraine was responsible for initiating the war. When asked whether the UK agreed with Mr Trump’s assertion that Ukraine “should never have started” the conflict, Mr Healey was unequivocal:
“Three years ago, one country illegally invaded another, and since then, the Ukrainians have been fighting for their freedom.
“They’ve been fighting for their future, and they still are.
“So whilst all the focus may be on talks, not even negotiations, our concern as defence ministers is that we’re not jeopardising the peace by forgetting about the war.
“And our job as defence ministers is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into any talks. That means continuing to step up the military aid that we in Europe, alongside the United States, need to maintain. The maximum pressure on Putin is going to mean the maximum chance that he will negotiate seriously.”
UK and Norway strengthen military ties
Mr Healey’s visit to Finnmark saw him meet with Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik, where they toured the border region on snowmobiles and visited a military watch post near Kirkenes.
The UK’s defence relationship with Norway has grown significantly in recent years, with 70 Royal Navy vessels visiting Norwegian waters in 2024 alone. However, Norwegian media questioned why British ships had not entered the Barents Sea—an area north of Norway and Russia—since 2022. Asked whether this decision was made to avoid escalating tensions with Moscow, Mr Healey maintained that it was an “operational” choice.
“We’ve been working alongside the Norwegians. In the last year, 70 Royal Naval vessels at different times were here, working with Norway. These are not unconnected; we work together in this area of the High North and the North Atlantic.
“We also work together to support Ukraine. Our two countries lead the maritime capability coalition, putting some of the maritime weaponry into the hands of the Ukrainians and building up, importantly, their strength to guarantee their own security in the future.”
‘Russia is a threat beyond Ukraine’
Mr Healey stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the UK and Norway to counteract Russian military threats. He confirmed that discussions with Mr Sandvik would focus on deepening defence cooperation between the two nations.
“This is my first visit to Norway. We could have met in Oslo, we could have met in the bilateral meeting conference rooms that governments have, but we wanted to be here in Finnmark.
“We wanted to come directly from Nato headquarters last week to be here because this is Nato’s front line. It’s Norway’s border with Russia.
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“But what you and we have done as nations over the decades is to stand together, defending Nato’s northern flank.
“And this time, when our partnership is growing closer and deeper with every day, this visit, this region, reminds us that Russia is a threat well beyond Ukraine and reminds us that Russian aggression is not confined to Ukraine.”
Balancing diplomacy and defence
Mr Healey’s remarks come at a crucial time, as European nations remain divided on how best to respond to Moscow’s ongoing aggression. While diplomatic talks between Washington and Moscow have been widely viewed as a necessary step towards eventual peace, Mr Healey’s warning serves as a reminder that any resolution must be approached with caution.
With Ukraine still fighting on multiple fronts, the UK and its allies continue to provide military aid to Kyiv, ensuring that any potential negotiations take place from a position of strength.
As tensions persist along Nato’s northern borders, Mr Healey’s visit to Finnmark reaffirms Britain’s commitment to its European partners and highlights the ongoing risks posed by Russia’s expansionist ambitions.
