Last week’s NATO summit in Washington ended with more “extensive” support for Ukraine, with lots of it still coming from Norway. That now includes six F16 fighter jets, with the first to be be delivered by the end of this year and allowed to attack targets within Russia, as long as Ukraine follows the rule of law.
Norway’s donation of fighter jets to Ukraine has long been pondered, and now will finally be delivered. The jets served Norway for many years and are considered old but nonetheless able to give Ukraine a considerable advantage.
They can also go into battle against Russian fighter jets. “Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against air attacks is crucial for its battle against Russia,” stated Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre while at the NATO summit. “We plan to start delivering the aircraft in the course of 2024.”
Newspaper Aftenposten reported that Norway will send its jets without the restrictions placed by other countries. Belgium, for example, has stated that Ukraine can’t use its former fighter jets over Russian territory. Norway isn’t demanding the same.
“We’re giving Ukraine the jets under the condition that they follow the rule of law,” Støre told Aftenposten during the NATO summit. That means Ukrainians can only defend themselves against what they’re being attacked with, and that they must distinguish between civilian and military targets.
Støre stressed how Ukraine has been attacked from the air since Russia first invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Russia also attacked Ukraine with missiles fired at several of its largest cities including Kyiv just as the NATO summit began, with targets including a children’s hospital.
It’s all “led to great suffering for the Ukrainian population and massive damage,” Støre said. “Along with ground-to-air defense systems, the fighter jets will be important for the Ukrainians’ ability to defend themselves against Russian attacks from the air.”
Norway has already been training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F16s. In addition to committing to delivery of the F16s over the next several months, Norway also is providing another billion kroner worth of air defense systems, “to protect the population against Russian bombs and missiles,” Støre said.
In cooperation with its NATO ally Germany, Norway will donate a comlete IRIS-T air defense battery to Ukraine this fall. Air defense has long been a top priority for Ukraine, with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide noting that “the Ukrainians themselves have the best insight into what is needed.” Eide said Norway is “in close contact” with Ukrainian officials to determine “how we should target our support to the country” through Norway’s Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Norway is also providing funds for the repair and maintenance of air defense equipment in Ukraine that’s currently being carried out by other countries.
The Norwegian aid is part of NATO’s efforts to increase military support to Ukraine and maintain control of that within NATO. NATO itself will now take on a greater role coordinating its allies’ support for Ukraine, in the form of training and weapons support. NATO also appointed a new NATO Senior Representative to lead NATO’s donations.
More NATO control over aid to Ukraine can help assure ongoing support in the event of a change in political leadership in the US after the November presidential election. Support from the US Congress recently waned, at the risk of sending the wrong signals to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NATO allies affirmed continued provision of EUR 40 billion in military assistance within the next year. They stressed, though, that NATO’s broader coordinating role “does not mean” that NATO is becoming a party to the conflict, but rather reflects a “deeper acknowledgement (within NATO) that the situation is grave for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security alike,” according to Foreign Minister Eide.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has been worried about waning support in the US and still wants Ukraine to be invited to become a member of NATO itself. The political tension in the US hasn’t helped, nor has concern over US President Joe Biden’s health and stamina given his age. It was important for NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to stress last week that NATO still strongly supports Ukraine and that Ukraine is on the path towards membership in the alliance. NATO, meanwhile, faces other challenges given political conflicts within Germany and France, financial problems in the UK and an overall lack of an estimated 100,000 soldiers who’d be needed in an emergency situation.
Enthusiasm remained, however, to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary in Washington DC last week, and fellowship prevailed despite a demanding agenda. As Aftenposten reported, the NATO countries’ most important job is to show that they are strong together. Støre claims Norway’s support remains firm, and so does NATO’s.
“NATO stands firmly unified in its support to Ukraine’s fight to defend itself,” Støre stated as the NATO summit wound down. “I’m pleased the NATO countries have agreed on important, concrete measures at this summit. It’s crucial not just for Ukraine, but for the security and safety of all of Europe that Russia does not achieve its aims. Ukraine’s safety and security are inextricably linked to our own.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Eide followed up: “We must continue to support Ukraine’s fight to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression,” Eide said. “Ukraine’s battle is our battle as well … not just to safeguard Urkaine’s freedom but also to safeguard our common values, democracy and respect for international law.”
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
