Norway–Ukraine relations

Norwegian-Ukrainian relations
Map indicating locations of Norway and Ukraine

Norway
Ukraine

Norway–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Norway and Ukraine. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 5 February 1992.[1] Norway is a member of the NATO which Ukraine applied for in 2022. Both countries are members of the OSCE, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization and United Nations. Norway recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991.

Historical relations

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

See also: Russian invasion of Ukraine
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, 1 July 2022

Following the 2022 Ukraine cyberattack, Jonas Gahr Støre warned "we need to be more alert" and emphasised that Norway also had to be more alert to hybrid attacks and to consider them a threat to society. He said: "I am concerned that we as individuals and companies and institutions must be aware that this is part of our preparedness." He went on to say that the issue of cyber security would be looked at by the new Defence Commission, to be headed by former justice minister Knut Storberget.[2]

Following the deployment of Russian troops to Eastern Ukraine, Støre expressed concerns about the situation and also condemned the actions by Russia. He also criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech where Russia recognised the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics as independent countries, and Sergei Lavrov's further comments.[3]

On 27 February, Støre and members of his cabinet announced that Norway would be freezing the Government Pension Fund of Norway's investment in Russia. A process to pull the Oil Fund out of the country over time was also initiated.[4]

On 31 March, Støre had an hour-long phone call with Putin after taking the initiative to do so with Nordic and European allies and the United States. He described the conversation as "possible to reach out" to Putin, and urged him to end the invasion of Ukraine. He also urged him to open humanitarian corridors in Mariupol and that the war required a negotiated solution.[5]

Støre visited Kyiv on 1 July, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and announced that Norway would be contributing with 10 billion NOK in aid. The money would notably go to humanitarian aid, reconstruction and support to crucial infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals. Støre also visited the ruins of the city of Yahidne, which he described as "getting an insight into hell on earth".[6]

On 30 September, Støre condemned the Russian annexation of Kherson Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast. He also confirmed that Norway had accepted assistance from other allied countries to tighten security in the Norwegian sector. Regarding the annexations, he stated: "Putin has announced a few hours ago that Russia is incorporating four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia. The annexation of the four regions is without legitimacy. The so-called referendums were carried out under military occupation and are in violation of international law".[7]

At a press conference on 20 October, accompanied by justice minister Emilie Enger Mehl and defence minister Bjørn Arild Gram, Støre warned that the war in Ukraine was reaching a new and dangerous phase. He also warned that the security situation in Europe had become more tense in the wake of the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.[8]

In early May 2023, he attended a summit in Helsinki, Finland, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Nordic leaders.[9]

In February 2024, Støre announced that his government would provide 75 million NOK in support for Ukraine and stated that Norway would continue to support the country.[10]

Støre was one of the participants at the European-led Ukraine peace summit in March 2025. Despite the American absence at the summit, he argued that the United States should take part in any peace negotiations and that they would be the guarantor for security as a foundation for a peace settlement in the war in Ukraine.[11]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Norway has an embassy in Kyiv.[12]
  • Ukraine has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Oslo.[13]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "European countries". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 20 July 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Støre slår cyberalarm: – Vi må være mer våkne" (in Norwegian). ABC Nyheter. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Bekymret Støre etter utviklingen i Ukraina: - Gårsdagen var et veiskille" (in Norwegian). Nettavisen. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Norge trekker oljefondet ut av Russland" (in Norwegian). Verdens Gang. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Støre om Putin-samtalen: – Jeg opplevde at det var mulig å nå fram" (in Norwegian). NRK. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre er i Kyiv – lover 10 milliarder kroner i bistand" (in Norwegian). ABC Nyheter. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Støre om Russlands annektering: − Ukraina har rett til å forsvare seg" (in Norwegian). Verdens Gang. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Støre: − Russland tar flere sjanser i sitt etterretningsarbeid" (in Norwegian). Verdens Gang. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Zelenskyj på nordisk toppmøte: – Kvar bit av Europa må forsvarast" (in Norwegian Nynorsk). NRK Urix. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Støre om norsk Ukraina-støtte: – Deres forsvarskamp er også vår kamp" (in Norwegian). Nettavisen. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Støre: Avgjørende at USA er med i våpenhvileforhandlinger i Ukraina" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Nettavisen. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Norway in Ukraine". Norgesportalen. Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  13. ^
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