The war in Ukraine has led to a historically large flow of refugees to Norway, states Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap). – So far, 34,000 asylum seekers have come to Norway this year, over 30,000 of them from Ukraine, Støre said in his statement in the Storting today. He added that the scenarios for the time to come are uncertain. – But we now have to plan for a total of 40,000 displaced people from Ukraine this year, 2022, and we estimate that another 30,000 may arrive in 2023. In addition, there will be asylum seekers from other countries and transfer refugees. – Never before have so many refugees settled. There have been more residents so far this year than in the last four years combined. EDITORIAL: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) in the Storting today. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB Need more money? Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg raised the refugee estimates in the reply round after Støre’s presentation. – It is pointed out that more refugees will arrive in Norway than previously estimated due to the situation, she said. – I would specifically like to ask the prime minister if it is the case that since the estimate increases from 10,000 next year to 30,000: will there then be an additional proposal to the budget from the government’s side, or will the Storting be invited to make a budget decision where we know that a rather major variable has changed on during this time? Solberg himself had to submit an additional number to handle the flow of refugees from Syria in the autumn of 2015. There are even more Ukrainians arriving in the current situation than there were Syrians seven years ago. ESTIMATE: Opposition leader Erna Solberg (H) asks the prime minister to clarify whether there will be more money for refugee reception next year. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB – Bad news Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) states that we are in the most demanding security policy situation since the Second World War. – The messages from the Russian leadership indicate that Russia is steering towards a long-term break with the West, he said in his Ukraine presentation in the Storting today. – But an isolated Russia is bad news. It is disturbing that today there is so little contact and direct communication with Russia. It weakens the possibility of finding a negotiated end to the war, the prime minister stated. Støre says today we are faced with a Russian leadership characterized by suspicion and fear. – Today’s Russia has clear totalitarian features. We have seen many such regimes throughout history. They have a strong facade. But behind the facade, those who make decisions are characterized by fear and insecurity, which are often compensated with rectification and brutality. NOK 3,500 billion In the report, Støre pointed out that rather than seeking peace and compromise, Russia has escalated the war in the neighboring country. – The mobilization bears the stamp of chaos and coincidence. The mobilized soldiers are poorly trained. They are inadequately equipped. And they appear unmotivated, he said. – But the mobilization shows the regime’s willingness to continue the war. And its willingness to sacrifice the lives of thousands of its own citizens. At the same time, Støre touched on Norwegian support for Ukraine. During a visit to Kyiv earlier this year, he announced an increase in total aid of NOK 10 billion this year and next year. – The EU estimates that the costs of reconstruction and long-term aid will amount to over NOK 3,500 billion. Almost two Norwegian state budgets. Støre also addressed the consequences of the war, namely the gas crisis and soaring electricity prices in Europe. This has created pressure on Norway, which is making a lot of money from the crisis. – It is clear that the price levels create pressure. There have been demands from several countries for various forms of market intervention that can help bring prices down. It is understandable. Condemns nuclear threats The war and Russia’s problems in making progress on the ground in Ukraine with conventional weapons have created increased fears of the use of nuclear weapons. Threats about the use of nuclear weapons are irresponsible, states Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap). – That in itself is a dangerous escalation. We condemn it, he said in his statement in the Storting today. The use of nuclear weapons would cross an unheard of boundary, he said in the Storting. – We consider that the probability of use is still low. But it is not zero. In light of the language used, we cannot reject the possibility. Although the probability is low, it has increased, Støre said. He believes the purpose of the threats is to weaken Western solidarity with Ukraine and called them a form of blackmail.
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Støre estimates 70,000 Ukrainian refugees in two years – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
