Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and warns that emergency aid to Ukraine will be increased by NOK 200 million.
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– Today we woke up to war in Europe. We have long feared that Russia will launch a massive military attack on Ukraine. It’s happening now. The attack we are now seeing is an attack on Ukraine’s freedom.
Jonas Gahr Støre says this during a press conference on Thursday afternoon in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This is happening in Ukraine now:
- Russia is leading a large-scale invasion from several sides into Ukraine, and the Russian military is said to have reached just north of the capital Kyiv.
- Attacks from artillery, planes and rockets are reported in several places in the country.
- The strategically important cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol and Odessa are under attack.
- The civil airspace over Ukraine is closed, as well as over some of the border areas.
He also says that Norway strongly condemns the attack on the country, as well as Belarus’ participation in it, and that Norway together with its partners in Europe demand that Russia stop the attack and seek a peaceful solution.
– I do not want there to be any doubt: Russian authorities have the full and complete responsibility for what is a time difference, and a new time for European security, says the Prime Minister.
– In line with NATO’s routines, which are well established, the Chief of Defense has initiated planned measures to strengthen the Armed Forces’ vigilance and preparedness.
Increases emergency aid
When asked what the government considers Putin’s goal with the invasion of Ukraine, Støre says that he is reluctant to make himself an interpreter of the inner thoughts the Russian president has behind what he says.
– But what he has said today, points in the direction that he will occupy and change the system of government in Ukraine. There is an elected president, and if that is the purpose, then it paints a picture of a very comprehensive military operation to achieve that goal: an operation with a very high humanitarian price, Støre said.
He says at the same time that Norway has increased emergency aid to Ukraine by NOK 200 million.
– Norway is already showing up with humanitarian, economic and political support, but we will show up more in the time to come, he says.
The Prime Minister says that he understands that Norwegians can become uneasy about what is happening in Ukraine.
– I would therefore like to emphasize: We do not see any increased military activity in our immediate areas, but as part of our preparedness we are also increasing vigilance in our country, and we are following the situation closely, he says.
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– How does this damage Norway’s relations with Russia?
– Russia has assumed an enormous responsibility in carrying out an attack on a neighboring country in Europe, and it is clear that it will have consequences for Russia’s relations with all countries, Støre says.
He says that Norway’s neighborhood with Russia requires that the countries have contact to take care of issues that concern both countries, and that both are responsible for taking care of the neighborhood.
– This is not a crisis that has arisen on the border, but we clearly mark distance and will join the sanctions that are being discussed with other countries in Europe in response to the situation.
Willing to contribute additional strengths
Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen says that Norway already has soldiers in Lithuania, and that the presence will be strengthened there.