Standing united in support of Ukraine

Today, 24 February, the second anniversary of Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I would like to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people for their resilience and resolve. The war has brought enormous suffering and destruction to Ukraine and has placed an immense strain on the country.

Norway will stand by Ukraine and will provide the support it can to help meet Ukraine’s needs, both while the war continues to rage, and in the efforts to achieve peace and rebuild the country. Ukraine’s fight for freedom is about our freedom as well. And about defending the fundamental principles of democracy and international law.

Political editor of the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten Kjetil B Alstadheim noted in a recent article (3 February) why it is both right and important for Norway to support Ukraine; namely, because this is about Norway’s own security. And that is precisely it. Or rather, that is partly it. We have a responsibility and a duty to help to alleviate suffering and need where we can. Providing support to Ukraine – together with our European and American allies – is an investment in our own security as well.

Just over a year ago, Norway launched a multi-year package of support for Ukraine. We have called it the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine in commemoration of Fridtjof Nansen’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine some 100 years ago. What are the main defining features of Norway’s support?

• Duration: The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine extends over a period of five years (2023–2027). The long-term nature of our support has been welcomed both in the presidential offices and on the front lines in Ukraine. We will stand by those who are fighting. We are committed to doing so. Our support will be adjusted on an ongoing basis, but this funding does not need to be approved each year. We are now seeing that others are following our example. The EU recently adopted a four-year programme of support.
• Scale of funding: The support programme totals NOK 75 billion and is Norway’s largest-ever package of support for a country at war.
• Focus: The programme encompasses a combination of military and civilian support, including humanitarian assistance. Our support is helping soldiers fighting on the battlefields, nurses caring for patients in Chernihiv, injured Ukrainians needing to be airlifted out of the country for treatment, and refugees coming to Norway.
• Political consensus: The programme has the backing of all the parties in the Storting (Norwegian parliament). This is one of its key strengths. Few other countries have achieved this.

NOK 75 billion over a period of five years is a significant amount of money. What is this funding going to be used for? The Government recently presented a white paper that provides a full overview of Norway’s support to Ukraine. Here are some key examples:

• Military support: Air defence systems using Norwegian technology are saving lives. In 2023, Norway provided over NOK 10 billion in military support under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, with a particular focus on air defence support. The aim is to protect Ukrainian forces at the front and to prevent Russian missiles from destroying residential areas and critical infrastructure. We have also donated artillery, tanks, armoured vehicles and mine clearance equipment and we are providing training to Ukrainian soldiers in Norway and other countries.
• Civilian support: Norway is providing support to the Ukrainian authorities, via the World Bank, to help maintain critical public functions and keep the wheels of society turning in the face of ongoing Russian attacks. Funding from Norway is being used to ensure that over half a million employees in the school system and more than 50 000 ambulance and fire personnel receive their salary every month. Our support has also helped Ukraine to purchase gas, repair critical infrastructure and maintain operation of the country’s energy companies.
• Humanitarian assistance: Many of our highly experienced organisations are cooperating closely with local partners in Ukraine. The Norwegian Red Cross has deployed mobile health teams, Norwegian People’s Aid is clearing mines to enable people to return to their homes, and the Norwegian Refugee Council is providing food, water and shelter to tens of thousands of people.

In addition, a large number of Norwegian volunteers, individuals, businesses and civil society actors are working hard to support Ukraine. The level of engagement is high, and this can be seen across all Norway’s municipalities as well. So far, Norway has taken in more than 70 000 Ukrainian refugees and all our municipalities have participated in these efforts.

Norwegian companies are operating and carrying out assignments in Ukraine that are creating jobs. When President Zelensky visited Oslo, he was particularly interested in meeting representatives of the network of Norwegian companies involved in supporting Ukraine.

President Zelensky is taking a long-term approach, looking towards reconstruction, and towards future activities and cooperation. We must do the same.

Three points to bear in mind as the war enters its third year:

First, Russia’s war against Ukraine is the greatest security policy challenge of our time. Today we are facing a Russia that is more unpredictable and more willing to take risks. We have long experience of dealing with Russia as our neighbour. Some things cannot be changed, of course. We cannot choose where we are on the map. We will seek to maintain predictable contact with Russia in the north. We will be more vigilant and will carry out more military exercises in the north with our NATO Allies. The Norwegian Armed Forces will receive more resources for activities and investments. In 2026, our defence budget will amount to at least 2 % of our GDP. The Government will be presenting a new Long-term Defence Plan before the summer of this year. This will be the most important defence plan in several decades. It will safeguard our national security by strengthening the quality and capabilities of our own armed forces and our cooperation with our allies and with NATO.

Second, the future is uncertain. We do not know how Russia’s war of aggression will evolve, but there is a danger that it will last for a long time to come. There will continue to be an enormous need for Norwegian and international support in the time ahead. The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine is flexible. The distribution between military and civilian support can be adjusted as necessary to meet Ukraine’s needs. Military support for Ukraine’s fight to defend itself and civilian support to maintain critical public functions are Ukraine’s top priorities at present. I hope, as we all do, that Norway’s support can gradually be channelled more towards the reconstruction of a free Ukraine.

Third, one day a peace settlement will have to be reached. Only Ukraine can determine when and under what conditions a peace deal can be negotiated. Norway supports Ukraine’s peace formula. It is a good basis for securing a just and lasting peace on Ukraine’s terms. Norway is playing an active role in these efforts.

This second anniversary of the invasion offers a chance for reflection. There is a great deal at stake, primarily for Ukraine, but also for us: security in Europe where all countries must respect internationally recognised borders. For Norway, supporting Ukraine is about the fight for freedom and about Ukraine’s right to take its place in the European political community, with its basis in respect for the rule of law and democracy. All of these values are of crucial importance in safeguarding Norwegian security as well.