Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt and President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Sunday. On the same day, the government announces that the Norwegian embassy in the war-torn country will be partially reopened.
May 8 also marks the day of liberation after World War II, the day when German forces capitulated.
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On Sunday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will take part in marking the day at Akershus Fortress.
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That the Norwegian visit to Kyiv fell on this day was coincidental, Støre told Dagbladet.
– I’m glad it took place today. It gives an extra meaning to what we mark here at Akershus Fortress, says the Prime Minister.
Important date
Monday 9 May is Russia’s turn to celebrate Liberation Day. That the liberation there is celebrated the next day is due to something as simple as the time difference.
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Putin has a habit of marking the day with a huge military display at the Red Square in the country’s capital Moscow.
Several parties have speculated that Putin will declare full-scale war on this day.
As of now, the war from the Russian side is called a military special operation.
– Paradox
A full-scale declaration of war will also mean a significant escalation of the war. Russian authorities have dismissed the speculation as nonsense.
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– That Russia marks the end of World War II on May 9, I have great respect for. The Russian people suffered enormous suffering during the war, many of the suffering they took to free us, says Støre, and continues:
– The greater is the paradox that Russia is now involved in such a devastating war in Ukraine.
Not planning a visit
Støre will not comment on whether he himself will visit Kyiv.
– It is not at the planning stage now, he says.
Putin has stuck
He believes that the Minister and the President of the Storting mark support from Norwegian democracy for Ukraine.
– We signal that we consider the leadership in Kyiv as the democratically elected leadership, and that we have our diplomatic representation there intact again.
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