Norway to provide NOK 4.5 billion (EUR 378 million) to Ukraine

The funds are being allocated under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Earlier this year, NOK 2 billion (EUR 168 million) was set aside to maintain critical services of this type. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre informed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky of the new funding allocation when the two met in Helsinki, Finland on Wednesday.

‘We are in close dialogue with the authorities in Ukraine to ensure that aid reaches those who are most in need. Russia’s war of aggression is causing inconceivable suffering and wide-scale destruction every single day. Our support will help to alleviate the situation of the Ukrainian people, who have endured so much, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway has made a commitment to provide NOK 15 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) every year over the next five years, for a total amount of NOK 75 billion (EUR 6.3 billion) in the period from 2023 to 2027. The Norwegian Red Party (Rødt) signed the agreement at the end of April, so the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine now enjoys the united support of all the parties in the Storting.

‘The cross-party support and long-term perspective of the multi-year support programme provides the Ukrainian people with the predictability they need. They know that they can count on Norway’s support, now and in the years to come,’ said Mr Støre.

In 2023, half of the funds provided under the support programme will be in the form of military support, and the other half as humanitarian aid and civilian support. The programme is designed to be flexible, and the Norwegian Government will assess how to distribute the funding on an ongoing basis, in line with the needs on the ground. So far, NOK 2 billion (EUR 168 million) has been set aside to support the efforts of the Ukrainian government administration to keep schools and hospitals running. At the meeting with President Zelensky on Wednesday, Prime Minister Støre stated that a further NOK 1.7 billion (EUR 143 million) will be set aside as support for the Ukrainian government administration and to repair damaged infrastructure. NOK 2.8 billion (EUR 235 million) has already been allocated to provide humanitarian aid.

‘There is an urgent need to provide vital humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people, who have been hit hard by the war. These funds will be used to provide food, medicine and shelter for Ukrainians in need – both those who have been forced to flee their homes and those who have been affected in other ways or who live in areas where there is widespread destruction. We see that Russia has intentionally targeted critical infrastructure that provides electricity and water to the Ukrainian people. We will help to repair the infrastructure and to ensure that it can continue to function,’ said Mr Støre.

In Finland, the Prime Minister attended a Nordic-Ukrainian high-level meeting hosted by Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir also attended the meeting. The meeting culminated in a joint declaration of continued support for Ukraine.

‘From the outset, the Nordic countries have supported Ukraine's fight for independence and freedom. So far, the Nordic countries combined have contributed EUR 4.4 billion in military support. This includes tanks, armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, artillery and training of Ukrainian soldiers,’ said Mr Støre.

In the joint declaration, the Nordic countries have pledged to continue military, humanitarian and civilian support to Ukraine. The Nordic countries also support Ukraine's initiative for achieving a just and lasting peace, and stand ready to take part in the international effort to prosecute war crimes.

‘The Nordic countries have much in common, and we are working together to ensure that our support for Ukraine is as effective as possible. We are maintaining a close dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities, who have the best insight into where the needs are greatest,’ said Mr Støre.