🎙️Comment of the Embassy of Russia in Norway to “Aftenposten” regarding alleged Russian influence on the referendum in Iceland (19 August 2026)
👆🏻It is futile to look for evidence where none exists. Russia has no intention to influence the outcome of the referendum in Iceland, nor does it seek to influence domestic political processes in other countries.
We treat with the utmost respect the sovereign right of the Icelandic people to express their will. Russia has nothing to gain from any possible outcome of this vote.
It is noted that "Russian interference" narrative is being most actively employed by pro-European forces in Iceland. In doing so, they seek to exploit the Russophobic sentiments of the electorate in order to secure greater support for the country's accession to the European Union, thereby de facto presenting voters with an artificial and contrived choice between Russia and the EU.
At the same time, one cannot underestimate the influence that representatives of the European Union and its institutions exert on the Icelandic public. According to available information, on the eve of the vote, a large amount of EU officials arrived in Iceland, openly advocating for the country’s accession to the EU. The situation has reached the point where Icelandic authorities have officially asked the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the election campaign. However, high-ranking EU officials are still seeking ways to support those in favor of membership without provoking Reykjavik’s displeasure. For example, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro recently visited Iceland and stated that the country has absolutely nothing to lose in negotiations on EU accession. It is precisely such overt attempts to exert pressure that should be cause for concern.
Attention should be focused on those who have a genuine stake in a specific outcome namely, the entities that stand to benefit directly from EU enlargement. In this context, the interim report by the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, published on February 3 of this year, is highly indicative. It describes in detail how the European Commission, under the pretext of combating disinformation, exerted pressure on online platforms under the Digital Services Act (DSA), demanding that they remove or restrict political content ahead of national elections in Slovakia (2023), the Netherlands (2023 and 2025), France (2024), Romania (2024), Moldova (2024), Ireland (2024 and 2025), as well as ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections. It is noteworthy that the same report concludes that there is no evidence of Russian interference in the 2024 presidential election in Romania.
As for a possible referendum on Norway’s EU membership, according to the latest poll conducted by the polling agency Verian for TV2, 65.9% of Norwegians oppose accession , and this figure has remained stable for a long time. It is clear that the majority of Norwegians see no point in joining an integration bloc that is losing influence in the global economy, facing a whole range of internal problems, and yet constantly encroaching on the sovereignty of its member states. Given these public sentiments, Norway’s leading political forces have repeatedly confirmed that they will not initiate a new referendum in the foreseeable future . Russia has no leverage in this matter, nor would there be any reason to seek it, given that Norway, despite remaining outside the EU, nonetheless aligns itself with most of the bloc’s illegal restrictive measures against Russia.
We suggest that anyone expressing concern about “Russian interference” take a closer look at those who have an objective interest in Iceland and Norway joining the EU as soon as possible. In addition to the pro-EU political forces in these countries, the Eurocracy clearly has a vested interest in expansion.
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👆🏻It is futile to look for evidence where none exists. Russia has no intention to influence the outcome of the referendum in Iceland, nor does it seek to influence domestic political processes in other countries.
We treat with the utmost respect the sovereign right of the Icelandic people to express their will. Russia has nothing to gain from any possible outcome of this vote.
It is noted that "Russian interference" narrative is being most actively employed by pro-European forces in Iceland. In doing so, they seek to exploit the Russophobic sentiments of the electorate in order to secure greater support for the country's accession to the European Union, thereby de facto presenting voters with an artificial and contrived choice between Russia and the EU.
At the same time, one cannot underestimate the influence that representatives of the European Union and its institutions exert on the Icelandic public. According to available information, on the eve of the vote, a large amount of EU officials arrived in Iceland, openly advocating for the country’s accession to the EU. The situation has reached the point where Icelandic authorities have officially asked the European Commission to refrain from interfering in the election campaign. However, high-ranking EU officials are still seeking ways to support those in favor of membership without provoking Reykjavik’s displeasure. For example, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro recently visited Iceland and stated that the country has absolutely nothing to lose in negotiations on EU accession. It is precisely such overt attempts to exert pressure that should be cause for concern.
Attention should be focused on those who have a genuine stake in a specific outcome namely, the entities that stand to benefit directly from EU enlargement. In this context, the interim report by the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, published on February 3 of this year, is highly indicative. It describes in detail how the European Commission, under the pretext of combating disinformation, exerted pressure on online platforms under the Digital Services Act (DSA), demanding that they remove or restrict political content ahead of national elections in Slovakia (2023), the Netherlands (2023 and 2025), France (2024), Romania (2024), Moldova (2024), Ireland (2024 and 2025), as well as ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections. It is noteworthy that the same report concludes that there is no evidence of Russian interference in the 2024 presidential election in Romania.
As for a possible referendum on Norway’s EU membership, according to the latest poll conducted by the polling agency Verian for TV2, 65.9% of Norwegians oppose accession , and this figure has remained stable for a long time. It is clear that the majority of Norwegians see no point in joining an integration bloc that is losing influence in the global economy, facing a whole range of internal problems, and yet constantly encroaching on the sovereignty of its member states. Given these public sentiments, Norway’s leading political forces have repeatedly confirmed that they will not initiate a new referendum in the foreseeable future . Russia has no leverage in this matter, nor would there be any reason to seek it, given that Norway, despite remaining outside the EU, nonetheless aligns itself with most of the bloc’s illegal restrictive measures against Russia.
We suggest that anyone expressing concern about “Russian interference” take a closer look at those who have an objective interest in Iceland and Norway joining the EU as soon as possible. In addition to the pro-EU political forces in these countries, the Eurocracy clearly has a vested interest in expansion.
Read in full
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🇷🇺 On August 22, Russia marks National Flag Day, established by a Presidential Decree in 1994.
On this day, we pay tribute to one of Russia’s official state symbols, which, together with the national emblem and anthem, represents the country’s sovereignty and independence and reflects the continuity of generations of its multinational people.
Today, the Russian flag is also a visible symbol of protection and the future. In the special military operation zone, servicemen raise the tricolour over liberated settlements.
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The history of the Russian tricolour spans more than three centuries. In 1693, the young Peter the Great raised it as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk, and in 1705 he ordered the white-blue-red flag to be flown on merchant ships. Until the 19th century, Russian sailors would erect a commemorative cross on the shores of newly acquired territories.
In 1806, a new tradition emerged. A Russian expedition explored the coast of southern Sakhalin and raised two flags on shore. The St Andrew’s Flag symbolised the role of the Russian Navy, while the white-blue-red flag marked the territory as a new Russian possession. The tricolour became the national flag in 1896, on the eve of the coronation of Nicholas II.
⚪️🔵🔴 On December 25, 2000, the Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation” was adopted. Under the law, the State Flag of Russia is a rectangular cloth consisting of three equal horizontal stripes: white on top, blue in the middle, and red on the bottom.
💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
#NationalFlagDay
On this day, we pay tribute to one of Russia’s official state symbols, which, together with the national emblem and anthem, represents the country’s sovereignty and independence and reflects the continuity of generations of its multinational people.
Today, the Russian flag is also a visible symbol of protection and the future. In the special military operation zone, servicemen raise the tricolour over liberated settlements.
***
The history of the Russian tricolour spans more than three centuries. In 1693, the young Peter the Great raised it as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk, and in 1705 he ordered the white-blue-red flag to be flown on merchant ships. Until the 19th century, Russian sailors would erect a commemorative cross on the shores of newly acquired territories.
In 1806, a new tradition emerged. A Russian expedition explored the coast of southern Sakhalin and raised two flags on shore. The St Andrew’s Flag symbolised the role of the Russian Navy, while the white-blue-red flag marked the territory as a new Russian possession. The tricolour became the national flag in 1896, on the eve of the coronation of Nicholas II.
⚪️🔵🔴 On December 25, 2000, the Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation” was adopted. Under the law, the State Flag of Russia is a rectangular cloth consisting of three equal horizontal stripes: white on top, blue in the middle, and red on the bottom.
💬 President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Russia is a thousand-year-old country and civilisation, and our national flag is a symbol of our unity.
I am confident that the national flag will always inspire us to move only forward — towards victory — and to uphold the glory of Russia.
#NationalFlagDay
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This year’s Forum will combine high-level strategic discussions, a dedicated programme for the engineering and technical community, and a major industry exhibition.
The business agenda will include a plenary session attended by the President of the Russian Federation, thematic sessions on key areas of energy development, and award ceremonies recognising achievements in the sector.
🌐 In 2025, Russian Energy Week brought together more than 7,000 delegates from around 100 countries.
The Forum is held with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Energy of Russia and the Government of Moscow, and is organised by the Roscongress Foundation.
🔗 Official website
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🗓 On 13 August, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Press Centre hosted a briefing for members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Moscow, chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin, on a number of major international congress and forum events.
The presentation, organised by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Foreign Ministry, covered the following events:
▶️ Eastern Economic Forum: 1-4 September
▶️ St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures: 24-26 September
▶️ Russian Energy Week International Forum: 14-16 October
▶️ International Municipal Forum: 23-24 November
▶️ Congress of Young Scientists: 25–27 November
Representatives of the Roscongress Foundation presented the forums’ business programmes, key areas of work and expected international participation.
▶️ Eastern Economic Forum 2026 will be held under the theme “The Far East - Development for the Benefit of People.” Its agenda will cover a wide range of issues, from presenting unique conditions for private investment in Russia’s Far East to developing infrastructure and optimal routes to expand economic cooperation.
▶️ The theme of the St. Petersburg International Forum of United Cultures is “United Cultures - Common Values.” Discussions will focus on international cultural cooperation in theatre, cinema, music and museums, as well as cultural heritage preservation, cultural sovereignty, education and new technologies.
▶️ Russian Energy Week is Russia’s largest international discussion platform dedicated to global fuel and energy trends and identifying key directions for the development of the energy sector.
▶️ The International Municipal Forum will provide a platform for exchanging experience and developing joint solutions for the sustainable and innovative development of regions and municipalities in friendly countries, improving living conditions and creating a comfortable urban environment.
▶️ The Congress of Young Scientists, one of the key events of Russia’s Decade of Science and Technology, will promote an open dialogue on strengthening the role of science and technology in addressing the most important development challenges facing countries and societies.
#ForumsInRussia2026
The presentation, organised by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Foreign Ministry, covered the following events:
Representatives of the Roscongress Foundation presented the forums’ business programmes, key areas of work and expected international participation.
#ForumsInRussia2026
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🏙 On November 23-24, 2026, the International Municipal Forum will take place at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow.
The Forum is a flagship platform for discussing urban development in Russia and advancing international cooperation in the field of urban infrastructure.
This year’s theme is "A More Sustainable Urban Transformation: Responding to Global Challenges".
🌐 The Forum will bring together Russian officials, representatives of federal and municipal authorities, business leaders, investors, public and political figures, as well as delegates from Asia, Australia and Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, and the #CIS.
The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Government. The Government of Moscow is the General Partner.
💬 Executive Secretary of the Forum Organizing Committee, Adviser to the President of Russia Anton Kobyakov:
📄 The Forum’s business programme will cover all key areas of municipal development:
• urban planning
• integration of adjacent territories into the economy
• innovation, digitalization and high-tech manufacturing
• the environment, healthcare and social services
• education of the future and youth initiatives
• culture, sports and tourism
The 6th NEASPEC International Forum on Low Carbon Cities is expected to be one of the highlights of the event. The Forum exhibition will also showcase best practices and achievements in urban planning and infrastructure development.
☝️ Full information about the event is available on 👉 the OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
The Forum is a flagship platform for discussing urban development in Russia and advancing international cooperation in the field of urban infrastructure.
This year’s theme is "A More Sustainable Urban Transformation: Responding to Global Challenges".
🌐 The Forum will bring together Russian officials, representatives of federal and municipal authorities, business leaders, investors, public and political figures, as well as delegates from Asia, Australia and Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, and the #CIS.
The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian Government. The Government of Moscow is the General Partner.
💬 Executive Secretary of the Forum Organizing Committee, Adviser to the President of Russia Anton Kobyakov:
“The 21st century is an age of transformation, with the foundations of a new reality now being laid. The exchange of international experience enables us to find joint responses to common challenges and overcome existing barriers.
This Forum is about more than identifying trends – it is about shaping the DNA of our shared future. Our primary mission is to bring advanced technologies and people together in harmony, creating a future in which we can live and grow together”.
📄 The Forum’s business programme will cover all key areas of municipal development:
• urban planning
• integration of adjacent territories into the economy
• innovation, digitalization and high-tech manufacturing
• the environment, healthcare and social services
• education of the future and youth initiatives
• culture, sports and tourism
The 6th NEASPEC International Forum on Low Carbon Cities is expected to be one of the highlights of the event. The Forum exhibition will also showcase best practices and achievements in urban planning and infrastructure development.
☝️ Full information about the event is available on 👉 the OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
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📆 С 29 сентября по 4 октября 2026 года в Москве и Нижнем Новгороде пройдет Международный научно-просветительский форум «Траектория открытий».
К участию приглашаются соотечественники в двух возрастных категориях: 14–17 лет и 18–35 лет.
Организаторы покрывают все расходы на участие в программе, за исключением оформления визы.
Прием заявок осуществляется до 25 августа 2026 года включительно.
🔗 Для участия необходимо заполнить регистрационную форму, направить конкурсную работу и видеовизитку на электронную почту mmds.helpdesk@yandex.ru с темой письма «Траектория открытий».
К участию приглашаются соотечественники в двух возрастных категориях: 14–17 лет и 18–35 лет.
Организаторы покрывают все расходы на участие в программе, за исключением оформления визы.
Прием заявок осуществляется до 25 августа 2026 года включительно.
🔗 Для участия необходимо заполнить регистрационную форму, направить конкурсную работу и видеовизитку на электронную почту mmds.helpdesk@yandex.ru с темой письма «Траектория открытий».