– We will support Ukraine as long as necessary, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) to Dagbladet.
In 2022, Norway gave approximately NOK 10.7 billion in support to Ukraine and other countries in the region that were affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities have always been clear that only total victory is good enough for them – this includes Russia handing over Crimea, which the country annexed in 2014.
No military expert believes that this is a battle the Ukrainians will win immediately, and in addition the Russians will be thrown out of Eastern Ukraine. Thus, Norway must also prepare for long-term support for Ukraine, according to the promises from the Minister of Defence.
For the period 2023-2027 it is political agreement in the Storting on a five-year support package for Ukraine of NOK 75 billion. That means annual payments of around NOK 15 billion for five years, starting in 2023.
SUPPORT UNTIL THE WAR IS OVER: That is the promise the defense minister is now making to Ukraine. Photo: Rodrigo Freitas / NTB
sea view
The Minister of Defense says one important contribution going forward is to provide proper military training to Ukrainian soldiers.
– It is important for Europe’s and Norway’s security that Ukraine is enabled to effectively defend itself against Russia’s attack. Ukraine needs international support both civilly and in the form of military material and training of its own forces, says Gram.
– Totalitarian features
Norwegian military support to Ukraine consists of the donation of military material from its own stockpiles, grants for international collaborations, the donation of factory-new material, and the training of Ukrainian military personnel.
– The government is continuously considering whether Norway should send more weapons and material to Ukraine, says Gram.
– We have a good dialogue with Ukraine and allies about the needs of Ukraine, he adds.
– Most anti-Western since 2007
Both NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Lieutenant Colonel Palle Ydstebø, head of the Norwegian Military Academy, have previously said that they believe in a Ukraine victory, but the defense chief is not as optimistic.
– There is no military solution to this conflict, I believe. In that case, it will take a very long time if one of the parties is to win definitively over the other, and it will have terrible consequences for people, said defense chief Eirik Kristoffersen until recently to Klassekampen.
