Volodymyr Zelenskyj is on his very first visit to Norway on Wednesday. The Ukrainian president has attended the summit between the prime ministers from the Nordic countries. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is the host and the topic is Nordic cooperation on defense and security policy. On Wednesday afternoon, Zelenskyj will be in place at the Storting to speak in the Storting hall. It is very rare that heads of state from abroad get to do just this. Heavy on symbolism Only three times after the Second World War have foreign guests addressed parliamentarians and government members. One of them was Winston Churchill in 1948. – Churchill was here before me. So then we will win. Because our enemy is the same today, Zelenskyj said at the start of the speech. The President of Ukraine visits the Storting on Wednesday afternoon. Here together with Parliament President Masud Gharahkhani. Photo: Rodrigo Freitas / NTB The Ukrainian president thanked Norway for the support Ukraine has received so far in the war. – Norway has supported us with heart and mind since the first hours of the war. We save lives thanks to you. Thank you, Norway. He also looked ahead and said that Ukraine will never give up the fight for freedom. – We will continue to take back our country step by step, emphasized the president from the podium. See the full speech here: Volodymyr Zelenskyj addressed the Storting Wednesday Storting President Masud Gharahkhani made his statement of support for Ukraine. – All my colleagues here, all 169 representatives of the Storting, regardless of political party, stand with the Ukrainian people. Their fight is our fight, he says. – We democratic countries must stand together. The war you are fighting in Ukraine is not only about the future of your own country. It is about the future of democracy in Europe. We must not stop supporting you in your fight, adds the President of the Storting. Gharahkhani himself visited Kyiv last year as the war raged. Watch Zelenskyj receive a standing ovation from the elected representatives at the Storting: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj received a standing ovation at the Storting. Norwegian business On Wednesday evening, Zelenskyj met the leaders of 14 Norwegian companies to discuss how business can contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine. – The authorities cannot do this alone, and the private sector will play an important role, says Jonas Gahr Støre in a press release from the Government. Volodymyr Zelenskyj will meet the Norwegian business community in Oslo on Wednesday afternoon to talk about the reconstruction of Ukraine. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB Norwegian business is now considering how they can best contribute, both while the war is going on, but also after the hostilities cease. – It is not just about repairing what has been destroyed, but about building a new future for Ukraine. It requires an enormous effort over a long period of time, writes the Government. Arouses reactions Venstre’s Guri Melby believes the war is also existential for Norway. – The Ukrainians are not only fighting a battle for their own freedom, they are ultimately fighting a battle for democracy, for freedom and against authoritarian regimes, she says from Vandrehallen after the speech. – It is important that all countries in Europe that believe in peace, international law, the rule of law and democracy support Ukraine. Ukraine’s fight is also our fight, adds Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. Norway supports Ukraine with money, weapon systems, ammunition and moral support. Among other things, the Nansen funds ensure long-term support for the war-torn country in the form of NOK 3 billion in civil support for the Ukrainian state. MDG’s Lan Marie Berg will increase these funds at a time when both the EU and the US are faltering. – We hope to agree on a doubling of the framework for the Nansen program because MDG knows that the needs of Ukraine are so great and it is absolutely crucial if they are to win the war, she says. Received support On Wednesday, the Nordic prime ministers gathered in the Marmorhallen in the Ministry of Climate and Environment to hold a press conference. There, the Nordic countries showed their full support for the war-torn country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is in Norway, where he is meeting with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and other leaders from the Nordic countries. Photo: Cicilie Sigrid Andersen / news – We, the leaders of the Nordic countries, confirm our unwavering support for Ukraine. We represent countries where there is broad support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people’s fight for freedom, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre from the podium. It was a grateful Zelenskyj who received the support from the Nordic countries. – It makes me happy to have such strong partners behind me. Putin must feel the losses and acknowledge that he must respect us, international law and freedom, the president points out. Here Zelenskyj meets King Harald: The Nordics stand together The Nordic countries have contributed over 11 billion euros in military, economic and humanitarian support since the full-scale invasion, says a press release from the government. On Wednesday, new Russian missiles were reported hitting Ukrainian cities. Støre confirms that they have had talks about increasing support for Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence. – We direct our military support against the defense of Ukraine, and in particular against attacks with missiles and rockets. We will continue this robust political and humanitarian support, emphasizes Støre. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre hosts a Nordic meeting in Oslo on Wednesday 13 December 2023. Photo: Cicilie Sigrid Andersen / news Our neighboring country Sweden, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, believes that Europe is now in a vulnerable position. – Ukraine is not only fighting for its own survival, but for all of Europe’s democracies. We are in a very serious situation now. This is a critical time in both the short and long run, says the Prime Minister. Here Zelenskyj arrives at the prime minister’s residence: Met the king During the visit to Norway, the Ukrainian president also paid an official visit to King Harald. During the visit to Norway, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj also paid an audience with King Harald. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB – Your visit to the reception for Ukrainian refugees in the first days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an extremely powerful signal of support for our people from Norway. Thank your majesty for this, the president said during the visit. Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were also present.
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