On February 24, two years ago, Russia sent shockwaves through Europe and the rest of the world when they invaded the neighboring country. Since then, over half a million Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are said to have been killed or injured. In the capital Kyiv, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived on Saturday to mark the day. – I am in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people, von der Leyen wrote on X. In Norway, the day will be marked outside the Storting, and through 50 other events across the country. People stand at the memorial site for those killed during the war, near Maidan Square in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, February 24, 2024. Photo: AP Stormmarking in Oslo The main march outside the Storting, starts with a support concert and photo exhibition, followed by a large demonstration. – This is a very special day for me and my family, and my thoughts go out to all Ukrainians, says Norwegian-Ukrainian Oksana Lorentzen to Helgemorgen. The demonstration begins at noon, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap), Henrik Asheim (H), Abid Raja (V) and city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg (H) are among those who will participate. The Ukrainian Association in Norway, the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friends Association and the Ukrainian Embassy in Norway are responsible for the event. The event is supported by 40 different parties and organisations. – The main message is that we stand together with Ukraine, and that Ukraine must get the support necessary to take the country back, says spokesperson Yuliya Haugland for the Ukrainian Association in Norway to NTB. Over 400 major cities worldwide have confirmed that they will mark the second anniversary. The markings that will take place are linked to the international organization Ukrainian World Congress. This year it has been named “Stand With Ukraine”. Former Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt received a T-shirt from Yuliya Haugland during the celebration of Ukraine’s Independence Day outside the Storting, the same day that it was announced that Norway will provide F-16 aircraft to Ukraine in 2023. Photo: NTB The whole country marks the day in Norway the second anniversary will not only be marked in the big cities. According to Haugland, more than 50 markings are planned across the country. From Kirkenes in the north to Lindesnes in the south, appeals will be held and trains will be marched to show support for Ukraine. There will be events in all the big cities, but also in several smaller places. Here are the Ukraine celebrations on Saturday Agder: Risør Tvedestrand Kristiansand Flekkefjord Lyngdal Lillesand Buskerud: Drammen Hønefoss Kongsberg Inland: Hamar Trysil Fagernes Lillehammer Møre and Romsdal: Molde Ålesund Sunndalsøra Nordland: Rogaland: Egersund Haugesund Stavanger Telemark and Vestfold: Trøndelag: Levanger Trondheim Verdal Troms and Finnmark: Østfold: Fredrikstad Moss Sarpsborg Vestland: Bergen Førde Gloppen Nordfjordeid In Trondheim there will be a commemoration at Torvet at 3pm before everyone goes on the train to Solsiden. – Many are very grateful to the Norwegian people. We get a lot of support. Ordinary people come with clothes and many other offers of help, says Olga Mosand to news. She is a leader in the Ukrainian Association in Trondheim. During Saturday’s commemoration there, both the mayor and several political parties will be present to show their support. At 12 o’clock the bells of Nidaros Cathedral will ring for 10 minutes in solidarity with the victims of the war. Several other cathedrals around Europe will do the same. Some of the events are organized by larger Ukrainian associations, while in many smaller municipalities Ukrainian refugees are responsible for the celebrations. The Norwegian-Russian association SmåRådina demonstrates in front of the Russian embassy in Oslo on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Saturday. Photo: NTB – Don’t lose heart NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Ukrainians on Saturday to “not lose heart” on the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. – Ukraine wants to become a member of NATO. The question is not whether it will happen, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: Reuters – The situation on the battlefield remains extremely serious. President Putin’s goal of dominating Ukraine has not changed, and there are no indications that he is preparing for peace. But we must not lose heart, says Stoltenberg in a statement on Saturday. Lack of military support, including from the USA, has meant that Ukrainian forces at the front have reported shortages of certain types of ammunition. Stoltenberg says that more support from NATO countries worth several billion dollars is on the way. This includes artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft defenses, military boats and equipment related to F-16 aircraft.
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Two years since the invasion of Ukraine – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
