Prime Minister Støre visits Ukraine

‘It was a deeply moving experience to be in Kyiv for Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, with the horrors of war so close by. The issue of independence, which we are celebrating today, is precisely what this war is about,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

In addition to participating in the official event to mark Ukraine's independence and having political meetings with President Zelensky and Prime Minister Shmyhal, the Norwegian Prime Minister visited a power plant destroyed by Russian attacks. Mr Støre also visited the city of Bucha, where the mass killings of Ukrainian citizens by the Russian occupying forces, which came to light after the city was liberated, shocked the whole world.

‘After a year and a half of brutal and devastating war, it is truly inspiring to witness the sheer determination of Ukrainians to defend their country and their people. Norway’s support for Ukraine is unwavering. This war is also about Norwegian and European security, and we can never downplay the importance of that,’ said Mr Støre.

Norway will continue to support Ukraine's fight to defend itself against Russian aggression for as long as it takes.

‘Ukraine urgently needs more military support and equipment, in particular air defence missiles and ammunition. Norway is providing the support it can in this context,’ said Prime Minister Støre.

Norway is providing significant support to Ukraine in the fight against Russia's illegal war. All the political parties in the Storting (Norwegian parliament) have endorsed the five-year Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine amounting to NOK 75 billion. Earlier this year, the Government announced that it is accelerating funding under the support programme and will provide an extra NOK 2.5 billion this year, bringing the total support in 2023 to NOK 10 billion.