Tensions on Svalbard between Russians and Norwegians | Focus on Europe

The war in Ukraine is heightening tensions between Russians and Norwegians living on Svalbard. A 1920 treaty has so far allowed the populations to live together peacefully.

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[Booboonancy]

Svalbard is Norwegian land and people from other nations are guests. At the very least, they need to respect their host country and keep their political provocations in check. If you want a parade, do it in your own country. I think it is extremely disrespectful.

[Longevitylifequest]

I had to admit that I wondered about this coexistence after listening to Cecilia Blomdahl’s channel - her visits to Pyramiden, Barentsburg, and ghost town Grumant were enlightening. She doesn’t delve into the geopolitics. She taught me that there is no native tribe from Svalbard. Everyone who lives on Svalbard comes from somewhere else in the world, and chooses to be there, so the culture is quite a unique blend. Residents are truly from EVERYWHERE.

The Russian Headmistress said what I can only hope are words to live by going forward:
“Everyone understands that we are all together on this island. You cannot just leave. You have to somehow find common ground.”

[bskec]

Norwegians - "Everything is tense and difficult"
Russians all directly employed by the Russian government - "Everything is fine and there are no problems."

[AndrewHay-uk]

Longyearbyen looks like a Scandinavian town in the Artic, Barentsburg looks like an abandoned Soviet theme park.

[markmd]

This is a fatal mistake for Norway to accept Russian settlements on their territory.
You may consider that town occupied.

[Berk-jd]

Never in my life i would believe to see Svalbard and tension in a single sentence wow...

[jennifercload]

I clicked on this because one of my favorite YouTubers lives on Svalbard. And her videos are amazing to watch. It is such a beautiful place. I would hate to see it ruined

[quain]

Went to Longyearbyen this June, truly beautiful place and very Norwegian indeed. Must go there once during your lifetime.

[aliancemd]

2:20 Lives in Norway but speaks russian, flies the russian flag on their territory and attacks the government for sanctioning russia…

[talkinghand]

What's wrong with Russia. Why can't it be a normal country? Always looking for troubles.

[barrysteven]

Watching this took me back to my years studying in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The Soviet flags and the slogans such as the large one at 4:13 and at the very end, which means "Our Goal Is Communism", are from a different era.

[majy]

Breaking news: Putin has organized a local referendum and the Svalbard residents have "freely" decidedd to join Russia by a landslide 150%. A great victory for democracy ! 😇

[neosapienz]

I am not sorry to say there is no compromise. The Russians on Norwegian soil need to respect that they are guests of Norway. Russia is 100% wrong on this issue.

[MBBurchette]

“People have different points of view.”

Russia is a deeply sick society.

[davidrudpedersen]

Those russians should be kicked out of Norways territory

[mawthome]

Solution is simple. Kick the ones parading out. Russia doesn't respect treaties anyways.

[georgep.simmonds]

Ludicrous that the man from Barentsburg blames the nations imposing sanctions for the island’s struggles, not Putin

[Alexandra-zpgr]

Even in one of the most remote and serene places on earth there is no peace. Wherever the Russians go there is strife and conflict. The Ukrainian population has basically all left Barentsburg since the start of the Russian war on Ukraine.

[mli]

”People have different views on events” If we would’ve talked about some tax policies I’d get it but when you talk this way about literal massacres of Ukrainian families including children your mind is sick. Don’t let them talk and act like this, kick the ones misbehaving out!

[MrBomuch]

Are they trying a special operation in Norway then?