Norway should significantly increase its financial assistance to Ukraine, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
“I want to suggest to the other parties in parliament that we meet this afternoon to discuss and agree on a significant increase in the “Nansen“ program for support to Ukraine this year“, Støre told parliament. He stressed that Norway would organize its expanded support in such a way as to provide maximum military power to Kiev as quickly as possible.
Norway joins a number of European countries that are increasing their defense spending and stepping up their aid to Ukraine after US President Donald Trump froze military aid to Kiev. This has raised serious concerns among European allies, Reuters notes.
Prime Minister Støre expressed deep regret over the termination of US military support and stressed that Europe must play an active role in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Last year, the Norwegian parliament approved 35 billion Norwegian kroner ($3.22 billion) in aid for military and civilian support to Ukraine. In addition, the framework of the “Nansen“ program was expanded to 155 billion kroner for the period 2023-2030.