It was a serious prime minister who met immigrants from both Russia and Ukraine in Kirkenes.
There, Støre got right about the new four days, old friends who have lost contact and about the hope that Europe might be able to experience peace.
Standing side by side
Kirkenes is one of the cities in Norway that has both the most and closest cooperation with Russia. This has led to the city having a large proportion of the Russian population.
Natalia is one of these. She moved to Norway many years ago, but has had good contact with friends in her home country. At least until the war broke out.
– I still have contact with many friends, but some were just gone. Those who support war and Putin, I have cut contact with them, says Natalia.
– There are still many in Russia who support Ukraine, but they dare not say anything. It is very sad.
– MEETING: The Prime Minister met with representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian people in Kirkenes. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten
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Next to her stands Mykhailo. He is actually from Ukraine, but came to Kirkenes in 2010. He describes a day that has been tougher after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
– The atmosphere was colder after this started.
He takes a break.
– What to say? Words host poor.
– I support Ukraine with all my heart
For the Prime Minister, it was important to meet those who in one way or another were affected by the war, even though they lived in Norway.
– It is very strong. There are individual stories that make a great impression. Like Mykhailo who came to Kirkenes in 2010 and who now experiences that his country is under attack and at war.
Both Natalia and Mikhail tell about a local environment in Kirkenes that has stood together and taken care of both Russians and Ukrainians after the war broke out.
– We have received a lot of support. Everyone supports us. They understand that it is not we who start the war. And we clearly say that we do not support the war and we want it to end. People understand that, says Natalia.
She is crystal clear in her speech. For her part, it is never appropriate to support Putin. She stands side by side with her neighbors from Ukraine with a single hope.
– I am Russian, but I support Ukraine with all my heart. I just want the war to end as quickly as possible, for Ukraine to win and chase away the occupiers. That’s what I want.
Meiner Putin lik
The Prime Minister responds to the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin held at the May 9 celebrations this year.
– The prime minister thinks Putin is lying in his account of the war. Photo: Daniel Berg Fosseng / TV 2
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But he says that the rhetoric unfortunately does not come as a shock.
– It does not surprise me. It is an extension of the story Putin has told before. Where he is closest is a victim and that everyone is looking for Russia. That it should have started with preventing a NATO invasion of Crimea is wrong. It is a lie, it is not so, says Støre.
– It is a storytelling that unfortunately the Russian people get right without being criticized. Because it’s not allowed. It tells a lot about the authoritarian direction he has taken the country in.
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