Ukraine has on four different occasions asked Norway for help in receiving wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the war against Russia.
This is confirmed by Minister of Justice and Emergency Management Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) in a written response to the Storting. The requests came through the EU’s crisis system, and were sent on 23 April, and 5, 7 and 10 May.
The answer comes to a question from Liberal Party leader Guri Melby.
– Absolutely damn good to see
No decision
But even though the first request for medical evacuation came more than a month ago, the government can not promise aid to Ukraine now.
“The question of whether Norway should offer medical evacuation of injured Ukrainian soldiers is under consideration.” writes Mehl in his answer dated 11 May.
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That answer does not impress the Liberal leader. She does not understand what is so difficult for the government.
– I mean it testifies to paralysis of action. It is very passive from the Minister. She gives no explanation as to why it takes so long. Now is the time to wake up and say yes to what Ukraine and the EU are asking us to do.
Must wait for Norwegian weapons support
– Urgent
This week it is three months since Russia launched a full-scale invasion war against Ukraine. Melby believes it is urgent to receive injured Ukrainians.
– Now it has been a month since the first inquiry. This is acute, there are people injured, and there are thousands of wounded Ukrainian soldiers. It is obvious to most that Ukraine does not have the capacity to treat them and needs help from the outside world.
Norway has previously sent 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. In addition, Norway contributes NOK 400 million to a British weapons fund. Melby believes it is a paradox can contribute sharp weapons to the conflict, but refuses to help war-wounded Ukrainians.
– It is very difficult to understand that this should be a very demanding decision to make. It is much less controversial than dominating weapons or other things Norway has contributed. This is humanitarian aid that I think it should be uncontroversial to provide, says the Liberal leader.
The Ministry of Justice, which is responsible for the case area, has not responded to Dagbladet’s request in this case.
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