Norway to send more air defense aid to Ukraine

Norway will provide Ukraine with additional support, including funding for increasing ammunition production, enhancing air defense capabilities, and supporting healthcare and education sectors. 

Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, stated this after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rubryka reports, citing the European Pravda.

"In addition, we will provide co-financing to strengthen the capabilities of the defense industry so that Ukraine will have enough ammunition to defend itself," said the head of the Norwegian government.

Moreover, Støre emphasized that in 2024, Norway would offer direct economic support for critical services in Ukraine to ensure no delays for the Ukrainian people.

"President Zelensky and his government need to pay nurses, teachers, doctors, and other workers, and we have the opportunity to help with a billion dollars in 2023 — this year is soon coming to an end. We are also increasing our financial and humanitarian support by around $800 million for this year," said the Norwegian prime minister.

Norway is also working to enhance critical infrastructure protection by providing additional air defense resources.

The government official reminded about budgetary support to the World Bank mechanism to assist Ukraine in providing essential social services. Norway has also allocated a winter aid package to Ukraine, including food, water, and warm clothing.

The prime minister noted that over half of all Norwegian assistance to Ukraine in 2023 consisted of military aid, focusing on air defense.

President Zelensky's trip to Norway on December 13 started after a visit to the United States. He arrived in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, for an unannounced visit. The Ukrainian leader will participate in a summit of northern leaders scheduled for this day.

During the official visit to the Kingdom of Norway, President Zelensky has already met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The leaders discussed support for the Ukrainian defense, resistance to attempts to block navigation in the Black Sea by Russia, protection of Ukrainian settlements from Russian terror, and assessment of overall progress and prospects for bilateral cooperation.

During a joint briefing with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Zelensky stated that Ukraine has no other path except victory. Achieving this is challenging without the help of international partners, as Kyiv will have to resist Russian occupiers on its own, as on the first day of a full-scale invasion.