Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre made another trip to Kyiv this week, in an effort to boost spirits and offer more aid to Ukraine. Støre candidly told Norwegian reporters, though, that “we’re far from any peace agreement” as Russia continues to bomb civilians in the Ukrainian capital and around the country.
“We’re still in the midst of full-scale war in Europe,” Støre said even before arriving in Kyiv early Monday morning on a night train from Poland. “During the last half-year Russia has further escalated its drone- and missile attacks on Ukraine.”
That’s why Støre said it was important, even in the midst of his own re-election campaign back home in Norway, “to mark support” for Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts. When Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky invited Støre back to Ukraine this week, Strøe said he felt it was only right to accept the invitation.
He told the embattled Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky that Norway still fully supports his nation’s fight “for freedom, independence and democracy. It’s crucial for Ukraine but also important for our own security and safety in Norway and Europe.”
Even though it was Støre’s birthday on Monday (he turned 65), he arrived in Kyiv with more “gifts” for Ukraine worth around NOK 85 billion (USD 8.5 billion) in the form of more military equipment and civilian aid. That brings Norway’s total donor package to Ukraine so far up to a total of NOK 275 billion through its so-called Nansen Program. It was launched in February 2023, a year after Russia’s invasion. All parties in Parliament stand behind the program that started with NOK 15 billion.
Norway is also paying NOK 7 billion for more US Patriot missile systems for Ukraine through a joint donation with Germany. The US is sending the systems but Norway and Germany will foot the bill, similar to how Norway is joining Finland in paying to build up a new Ukrainian brigade.
“This war is first and foremost a huge tragedy for Ukraine,” Støre said, “but it’s a priority for us, too, because there’s so much at stake, for Europe and for us.” Norway is also sending more of its own NASAMS ground-to-air missile systems to fend off incoming Russian missiles.
Even though Støre made a point of also noting how Norway supports US President Donald Trump’s initiatives for a peace process and work with security guarantees for Ukraine, he told Norwegian media that he doesn’t see many prospects for peace any time soon. “We’re far from any peace agreement,” he said on Tuesday. “When I say that, it’s because I see what Russia is doing.”
Støre, a career diplomat, noted how “completely innocent people” have lost their lives after “the Russian regime bombed their homes.” He visited recently bombed residential buildings in Kyiv and memorials to victims of the bombings. He called it one of the “bloodiest” attacks on Ukraine this year, part of a recent Russian offensive this summer, when 28 residents were killed including three children, and 21 people injured after a nine-story apartment house collapsed from bombing during the night between July 30-31, just a few weeks ago.
“You can see that there are no military targets in this neighbourhood,” Støre told reporters, equating Russia’s attacks on civilian targets to “terror.” He also visited memorials set up in the area, and sees few if any signs of Russian willingness to sit down and seriously negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine.
There was relief among the Norwegians, and many others, after Trump treated Zelensky with more respect at a recent meeting at the White House than he had earlier this year, and when he finally seemed to acknowledge a need for security guarantees for Ukraine. The next step is a meeting between Zelensky and Putin, but Russia has instead opted to keep bombing Ukraine.
Asked by newspaper Aftenposten whether he sees any signs at all of looming peace talks with Putin, Støre said “no, I don’t think so.”
Støre also deplored all the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly taken from Ukraine to Russia since Russia first attacked Ukraine in February 2022. He visited a reception center in Kyiv for some of the children that have been returned. Norway has also helped finance reunions between the children and their families.
It’s the security guarantees, though, that are most important right now. Støre has been reluctant to station any Norwegian soldiers in Ukraine, stressing how it’s most important to help Ukraine defend itself in the form of military equipment. He says Norway’s NASAMS defense systems have helped save “thousands of lives,” and now more are on the way. Zelensky said much of the new funding from Norway and other European countries will be used to buy more drones, some of which have hit Russian oil refineries and other targets well inside Russia.
The US now seems willing to only play a minimal role, leaving it up to Europe in what some analysts call an “historic turning point” also in US-European- and Norwegian relations. That comes at a time when Støre also told newspaper Dagsavisen that “Russia and Vladimir Putin show no signs of being willing to work for peace. Russia is continuing its attacks on the frontline, against cities, homes and hospitals in Ukraine.”
He added that “I think that until there’s considerable more pressure on Russia, we’re very far from a solution to all this.” He also thinks it’s important to not only help Ukraine with military and defense support but also to politically be in place for more talks. It was his fourth trip to Ukraine since the war started.
“Russia started this war and Russia can end it at any time,” Støre said. “Stop the drone- and missile attacks, and pull its forces out of Ukraine.” Until that happens, Norway and at least its European allies intend to continue their support.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
