Starmer kündigt neue britisch-norwegische Initiative zur Bekämpfung russischer Abhörer an

***The Telegraph reports:***

[Sir Keir Starmer](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/16/starmer-defends-friendliness-with-china-amid-spy-scandal/) has promised to help [Norway](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/01/23/running-out-of-time-defences-war-russia-norway-nato/) stop [Russia](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/russia-ukraine-war/) eavesdropping on secret defence and security meetings, The Telegraph can reveal.

On Monday, the Prime Minister visited Haakonsvern naval base, the country’s navy HQ, where he was given a confidential briefing that laid bare Moscow’s interest in the region.

A source close to Sir Keir said he was “seized” by the scale of the Russian threat in the High North, which includes Nordic nations such as Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark.

The new deal will see British experts help the Norwegians identify covert listening devices planted by hostile states, as well as improving defences to [cyber attacks](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/11/23/putin-ready-to-cripple-britain-in-cyber-war/).

British and Norwegian troops are also working together to counter [Moscow’s targeting of undersea cables](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/11/18/critical-undersea-internet-cable-severed-amid-fears-of-russ/), with risks posed to European energy supply and other key national infrastructure.

A government source said: “The Prime Minister is seized by the threat posed by Russia and is focused on protecting the UK and our allies from Putin’s reckless actions.

“Norway is a natural partner for the UK, both on outlook and our low-key approach to just getting on with the job, and so it makes sense that our some of our most discreet and sensitive work is carried out alongside them.

“Being on Russia’s doorstep, they know too well the need to outmanoeuvre [Putin](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/putin-could-attack-nato-countries-in-five-to-eight-years/) at his own game.”

**Read more:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/16/starmer-uk-norway-russia-spies-moscow/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/16/starmer-uk-norway-russia-spies-moscow/)