from Norway's perspective - we share a border with Russia and have a long history of peaceful trade with Russia - our hand has actually been forced by what Putin has been doing. we were trying to strengthen bonds to Russia, collaborate in the Arctic regions. even during the Cold War, Norway's been relatively friendly to Russia, despite having American backing. it's usually a bad idea to be enemies with your neighbours. Norway can't accept what's going on in Ukraine right now. sure, there are historical arguments for having Ukraine as part of Russia, but Russia kind of hoisted its own petard there didn't they...