It was Aftenposten that first reported on the case on Sunday. Together with friends and acquaintances, the parliamentary politician has helped to collect equipment and have it transported to the front line in the war-torn country. Frølich himself took part in a drive to Ukraine in September, together with party colleague Mahmoud Farahmand, among others. Among other things, they have delivered surveillance drones to the Ukrainian soldiers. – These are simple, civilian drones that enable the Ukrainians to find out if the Russians are approaching, and where the dangers threaten. With these drones, the Ukrainian soldiers have the opportunity to save their own lives, Frølich tells news. In addition, they have, among other things, delivered cars that can evacuate injured soldiers, and woolen underwear that keeps the soldiers warm in the cold. After Frølich and several others decided to help Ukrainian soldiers last summer, the work was formalized in the autumn. On 12 October, the organization “Free Ukraine” was founded, with Frølich as chairman, writes Aftenposten. The equipment on its way to the soldiers in Ukraine. Ukrainian volunteers must help to get it all the way to the front line. Photo: Privat Leads committee investigating the government As a parliamentary politician, Frølich is the head of the Storting’s control committee, which is currently investigating how the government has helped Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022. It is fellow politician Audun Lysbakken from SV who leads the committee’s investigations into the government’s aid to Ukraine . Lysbakken is what is called the case manager for the control case. – How do you assess your room for action as head of the control committee that now has this control case, to go to Ukraine and take part in delivering surveillance drones to Ukrainian soldiers? – It is something I do with great confidence and personal conviction. In a war like this, I have no qualms about sending aid to those fighting in Ukraine. – It is about protecting democracy and a rules-based world order. This is the most important dispute of our time, says Frølich. – We all have to feel for ourselves what we can do. There are no major formal restrictions on what a parliamentary representative can do, nor committee leaders. As a representative, you can of course get actively involved in help like this. I am sure of this. Straight ahead. This photo was taken right at the border, before they drive over to Ukrainian soil. Peter Frølich is on the far left in the picture, while Mahmoud Farahmand is on the right. Photo: Privat Gets support from law professor Jan Frithjof Bernt is professor emeritus at the Faculty of Law at the University of Bergen. The professor is among Norway’s foremost experts on competence. He says Storting representatives are not subject to any form of official governing power or restrictions. – Can Peter Frølich, as head of the control committee, carry out such a trip to Ukraine? – As far as I have been informed about the matter, there are no problems with this at all. A parliamentary representative can get involved in matters, both in word and deed, that he or she thinks is right to address, says Bernt. Even if the control committee is to scrutinize the government’s aid to Ukraine, Frølich as committee leader can still go to Ukraine to give equipment to Ukrainian soldiers, the professor believes. – The fact that Frølich has had an opinion on the question in advance is no different than politicians may have had an opinion on questions in other matters before they come to be considered in the Storting. He says it is in the politicians’ role that they must have the opportunity to be involved in what is happening in society. – This is not something marginal or debatable that is happening here. This is a completely natural part of being elected, says Bernt. Jan Frithjof Bernt is professor emeritus and expert on impartiality. Photo: Åge Algerøy / news Happy with the commitment, Frølich says it is important for him to show that the aid to Ukraine is not a political mark. After the New Year, they helped deliver a power generator to Ukraine. They got it from a Norwegian donor. Employees of Bergen Engines have helped to set up the power generator. This is one of the power generators that Peter Frølich and the other volunteers have had delivered to Ukraine. Photo: Private – There are a fantastic number of nice people around. You are moved when you see the willingness to give. There are many nice people all over the country who want to help, says Frølich. Frølich says it has a strong symbolic value for the Ukrainians that help is coming. – It is living proof that they are not alone. That help comes from outside. Not just from a distant government authority, but from person to person. They really appreciate that, says Frølich. The car trip to Ukraine was around 1,900 kilometers long.
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