We are running out of time to build a defense against Russia, warns Norway's commander-in-chief

'We need to prepare a strong national defense to face an uncertain and unpredictable world' Photo: PER OLE HAGEN/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Norway must increase defense spending in the face of a potential war with Russia within three years, the country's armed forces chief has warned.

General Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, time was running out to build up the country's defenses in the face of an increasingly unpredictable Russia.

“The current window of opportunity will remain open for a year or two, perhaps three, and that is when we will have to invest even more in our defense,” General Kristoffersen said in an interview published on Sunday.

“We don’t know what will happen to Russia in three years. We need to prepare a strong national defense to be able to face an uncertain and unpredictable world,” he added.

The Norwegian general said Moscow was building up its weapons stockpile much faster than NATO allies expected, adding, what in the sense of urgency.

Open conflict with Russia on its eastern flank is increasingly becoming the biggest security threat facing Europe. Photo: GETTY IMAGES EUROPE/SEAN GALLUP

Norway, a NATO member, is currently not meeting the alliance's requirement to spend two percent of GDP a year. on defense, but aims to achieve this goal by 2026.

It is the latest in a string of warnings from Western leaders that open conflict with Russia on its eastern flank is increasingly becoming the biggest security threat facing Europe. .

Last week Boris Pistorius, Germany's defense minister, said Vladimir Putin could decide to attack the NATO country within five to eight years.

Earlier this month, General Michael Büden, head of the Swedish armed forces, said that the Swedes needed to “mentally prepare” for the start of an open conflict with Russia.

German Defense Minister said that Putin may decide to attack a NATO country within five to eight years. Photo: NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP

NATO leaders are particularly concerned about Putin's apparent goal of expanding the former Russian Empire, which could lead to attempted land grabs. in countries bordering Russia and its key ally Belarus, such as Finland and the Baltic states.

Finland has already joined NATO in anticipation of this threat, and Sweden's request to join the alliance was ratified by Turkey's parliament on Tuesday evening after more than a year of delays that frustrated the West's attempts to show resolve in the face of Russia's war with Ukraine.

Hungary is becoming an increasingly close ally of Russia, despite being both a NATO and EU member. the state has still not agreed to Sweden's membership.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary's prime minister, says he has invited his Swedish counterpart to Hungary for «negotiations» on NATO membership.

However, later on Tuesday, Sweden's foreign minister said there was «no reason to negotiate» with Hungary about joining NATO.