Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was back in Oslo this week, where he won more financial and moral support from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre before flying on to Sweden and securing new fighter jets. Zelensky was accompanied by his wife and his foreign minister.
Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska received a warm welcome from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the military section of Oslo’s main airport at Gardermoen on Wednesday. Zelenska and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha were staying on in Oslo until Thursday. PHOTO: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret
“I just want to stress how impressed we are over the brave Ukrainians who are living through this (war launched against them by Russia), and who still have a clear and strong will to defend their country,” Støre said at a joint press conference with Zelensky after their meeting. Zelensky responded that he was “glad and grateful to be here.”
Støre had already expressed sympathy and condolences to Zelensky after more Ukrainian civilians were killed during the night when Russia once again attacked Kyiv. Two of those killed were children and residents of the Ukrainian capital were uged to remain in bomb shelters.
The Zelenskys’ visit hadn’t been publicly announced for security reasons, and was part of another round of meetings Zelensky is having with leaders around Europe after his recent meeting with an unpredictable and reportedly hostile US President Donald Trump. While the Ukrainian leader is being assured of ongoing financial and military support from European nations, support from the US has remained uncertain. News broke after the meeting, however, that the US is issuing more sanctions against Russian oil companies.
Støre also expressed his sympathy and condolences to Zelensky after another night of Russian attacks on Kyiv. Two more children were among the victims. PHOTO: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret
Støre described Wednesday’s meeting as “short” but stressed to state broadcaster NRK that it was another “good opportunity to talk.” He said contact with Ukrainian officials remains “close and regular, both directly with the president and with other members of the government.”
Støre said he presented Norway’s plans for further support to Ukraine and that it will be strong. He said Zelensky “doesn’t need to worry about support for the principles here. Borders shouldn’t be changed with force, we can’t accept that.” All countries have a right to defend themselves, Støre added, “and to help those who defend themselves.”
In addition to helping with defense support, Norway will contribute another NOK 1.5 billion to help ensure electricity and heating in Ukraine also this winter. Støre noted how Ukraine is facing “another difficult winter” and the power supply is unstable, especially since Russian drones often target power plants. Norway’s funding will be channelled through the EU’s Ukraine Investment Framework that mobilizes reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by Russia’s attacks.
The short meeting between Norwegian and Ukrainian officials took place in a room at the main Oslo aiport at Gardermoen, before Zelensky traveled on to Sweden, which is selling Ukraine more than 100 of the latest models of its Jas Gripen fighter jets. Funding and delivery of the jets remained unclear, but efforts are underway to finance them with Russian deposits in European banks that were frozen after Russia invaded Ukraine. PHOTO: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret
Støre also said that “intensive political and diplomatic efforts” are underway to “make progress towards a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Ukraine.” He added that Norway “must work with other European countries to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest position possible before, during and after a potential ceasefire.” The meeting with Zelensky on Wednesday was “useful” regarding “how we can best provide assistance to Ukriane in both the short term and the long term.”
While Zelensky traveled on to Sweden, where he also secured a long-sought agreement for Ukraine to buy between 100 and 150 Swedish fighter jets, Olena Zelenska remained in Oslo and visited a local school to learn more about its mental health program for youngsters. The Bentsebrua School in Oslo’s Sagene district is part of a pilot program in Norway that helps youth struggling with mental health issues and other problems to speak out and gain support.
“She (Zelenska) said it will be important for Ukraine to also be able to offer help for youth struggling after more than four years of war,” Linda Berg-Heggelund of the Norwegian organization Mental Helse told state broadcaster NRK. “We know there’s massive trauma in Ukraine, that there have been many painful experiences and that other Ukrainian youth will be moving home to a country plagued by war.”
Zelenska was accompanied to the school by Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide will also be meeting with Ukraine’s foreign minister on Thursday afternoon.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
