Over a year after Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was in Kyiv last time, the situation is the same. There is still war, and neither Russia nor Ukraine has given any signal that he will stop any time soon. Now Støre is in Kyiv again, this time personally invited by Zelenskyj. – It is symbolic to show up on an independence day, says Støre to news. Today marks Ukraine’s liberation from the Soviet Union in 1991, and is Ukraine’s national day. A day that is usually celebrated with military parades, concerts and patriotism. But the war is on, and the atmosphere in the streets is different. The destruction is getting bigger every day, and Zelenskyj is desperately asking for more support. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Ukraine in front of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. He praises the Ukrainian defense for heroic efforts in the war. Photo: Jan Espen Kruse / news Three goals for the visit news got to join Støre on the train trip to Kyiv. Here he was able to give three reasons for the visit. To express Norwegian support for the Ukrainian defense struggle, in addition to political support. Discussion around Ukraine’s ten-point peace plan. Announcement of the material support for Ukraine. Norway has already committed to supporting Ukraine for the war in a long-term perspective, together with the G7 countries. One part of this support is the Nansen programme, which was presented by the government with a broad majority in the Storting earlier this year. The support program ensures that Ukraine receives NOK 75 billion from Norway – over five years. During the visit, Støre shared that in 2023 Norway will provide a total of NOK 18.5 billion. He divided the support into three categories: humanitarian, civil and military. Norwegian contribution to Ukraine in 2023 Civil support Two billion for the World Bank operation of the Ukrainian state 300 million for war insurance and guarantee scheme for the private sector. 250 million in support for nuclear safety. 50 million for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s country program for Ukraine. 1.5 billion for gas and electricity goes to two state-owned Ukrainian companies, UkrEnergo (865 million) and Nafrogaz (635 million). Humanitarian aid 150 million in humanitarian aid after the flood disaster (after the Kakhovka dam burst) in Ukraine. Earmark UN and Red Cross. 400 million to the UN for humanitarian needs and to people on the run. 40 million for seeds for Ukraine (to build up agriculture). Military support 1.2 billion for air defense. Anti-aircraft missile of the type IRIS-T 9000 artillery shells, in cooperation with Denmark. Training and education in fighter aircraft by Ukrainian personnel. Three radars to locate artillery, in addition to eight long-range rocket artillery (MLRS), in cooperation with the United Kingdom. 234 portable sets of demining equipment. Ten NASAMS fire units, in cooperation with the United States. Eight tanks and up to four support vehicles, in addition to earmarked medium ammunition and spare parts. 10,000 artillery shells. Instructors to teach explosive disposal to Ukrainian soldiers. Training in sanitation, sharpshooting and team leader training. Training of Ukrainian soldiers in F-16 fighter aircraft in Great Britain. Source: SMK Mine clearance and air defense Regarding military equipment, Støre could tell that Norway will provide air defense missiles of the IRIS-T type. In the past, Norway has contributed with the Norwegian-developed air defense system NASAMS, Mistral missile and training of Ukrainian soldiers in F-16 fighter aircraft. – The need is enormous, notes Støre. Norway will also donate 234 portable sets of demining equipment, in addition to explosive charges for demining. This material is taken from the Armed Forces’ warehouses. IRIS-T is a type of missile. The Norwegian Armed Forces have previously used this type in F-16 aircraft. Photo: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP Reforms against corruption Last year, according to the government, Norway accounted for a third of Ukraine’s import needs for gas. This year too, Norway will finance both gas and electricity for Ukraine, giving 1.5 billion to two Ukrainian state companies. UkrEnergo and Nafrogaz. The two companies are state-owned. But Ukraine has struggled with corruption in the state, and according to Transparency International’s corruption index, Ukraine was ranked number 64 out of 180 countries. According to Støre, Norway has taken action on this, and clarifies that they have chosen two companies that have carried out reforms and measures to avoid corruption. Earmarked support All the billions have earmarked fields of use. A large part of the money dedicated to electricity and gas is earmarked emergency electricity in areas affected by hostilities, in addition to repairs and gas for emergency storage. Støre singles out the Kakhovka dam as an example of destruction that will be expensive to repair. The river power plant caught fire in June this year, leading to flooding in several towns in the Kherson region. Commissioned by the UN, The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) has been tasked with mapping the damage. They report on enormous devastation: pollution, loss of ecosystem and agriculture, in addition to a weakened water supply. news was allowed to join Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on the train trip to Kyiv. Photo: Håvard Greger Hagen / news Secret visit As before, the visit was secret in advance. Støre was able to tell news that he had actually planned to visit Kyiv in May-June, but that the visit was postponed due to Zelenskyj’s frequent trips this summer. Last summer, Støre used his stay to talk to the Ukrainian president, in addition to visiting war-torn areas, hospitals and talking to Ukrainians about their experiences. During the visit, he promised to provide NOK 10 billion in support during 2022. Also listen:
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