It was only two weeks ago that Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was back in Kyiv, for more meetings with the embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Norway remains one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters, and on Tuesday night, Zelensky flew into Oslo with his wife to pay their respects following the death of Norwegian King Harald V.
“Norway stands together with the Ukrainians,” said Støre after meeting once again with Zelensky at his hotel in downtown Oslo. Time for the meeting was carved out on the eve of King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday, with a large delegation on both sides.
There were likely to be more meetings in Oslo between Zelensky and other visiting heads of state who also support Ukraine. “Ukraine is heading into a hard winter,” Støre said, noting how Russia has “stepped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian homes and critical infrastructure.”
“It’s important to uphold the pressure on Russia to bring an end to this war,” Støre said. He and Zelensky were also meeting representatives from the European defense industry “to discuss the development of anti-ballistic air defense.”
Even in the middle of national mourning and all the events tied to King Harald’s death, Støre and other leaders currently in Oslo were taking time to meet with Zelensky and offer more support. Støre added that Europe itself “must cooperate even more closely and more long-term, in order to strengthen Ukraine’s and our own defense capability and opposition.”
Støre noted that anti-ballistic air defense “is absolutely central in order to do that.” Norway, meanwhile, remains caught in a new conflict with Russia itself amidst rising tensions and concern that Russia may target defense contractors or even a NATO ally to test NATO’s response. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not invited to King Harald’s funeral.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
