Norway should contribute one billion kroner in weapons aid to Ukraine, says Liberal Party leader Guri Melby, and refers to the accusations of war crimes committed by Russian forces.
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– I his speech to the Storting this week, Ukrainian president Zelenskyj asked Norway to provide support for weapons. This assessment must be made by the Government, but now it is important that we are clear that we take the Ukrainians seriously, says the Liberal Party’s leader Guri Melby to VG.
– Therefore, we should consider all requests for direct donation of specific weapons or money so that they can obtain these weapons, she continues.
Specifically, she proposes that Norway contribute one billion to arms support immediately.
The Norwegian government has so far contributed two billion to humanitarian aid. In addition, Norway has issued 2,000 M72 anti-tank missiles on two occasions.
–In addition, the Government will allocate 14.4 billion kroner in a Ukraine package, and they have invited a settlement to get this through in the Storting. The money will mainly go to strengthening defense and emergency preparedness as well as handling the flow of refugees.
But Melby believes this is not sufficient support in the situation Ukraine is in now.
– The Liberal Party will include it in the negotiations with the government on a crisis package. It is good to cover the expenses of the municipalities so that the refugees are well. But our solidarity must extend all the way to those who are fighting in Ukraine. For the freedom of us all, she says.
UD towards «media play»
State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells VG that the government is continuously considering further Norwegian support for Ukraine. Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt travels to Berlin on Monday to meet with European colleagues and discuss further handling of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, he states.
– Ukraine has the right to defend itself. This is the reason why Norway supports Ukraine’s just resistance struggle with significant quantities of weapons and other military equipment. We also provide budget support and comprehensive humanitarian aid to Ukrainians fleeing the war.
– We are facing the most serious security policy situation in many decades. The circumstances are not suitable for a “national championship” in media play. Da Melby had a similar plot on March 25 For many days, the Storting had been aware that several Norwegian weapons were on their way to Ukraine, he continues.
Liberal leader Melby has previously said in VG that she believes room for maneuver vis-à-vis Russia is about to be used up.
–– Should give weapons or money
When asked what weapons she thinks Norway should send to Ukraine, Melby refers to Zelenskyj’s speech in the Storting.
– He was very specific about what weapons he himself asked for in his speech. Either we should give them, or money that allows them to get these themselves, says Melby.
The Ukrainian president specifically asked for anti-tank missiles, the Norwegian-developed air defense system NASAMS and Harpoon missiles that can be used against warships and naval targets.
– By further contributing weapons, will we not then go against NATO’s position of supporting Ukraine, but not be directly involved?
– The most important thing for us in Europe now is to prevent Putin from winning. Because then there are many countries that can feel insecure. Therefore, this is a risk we must take, says the Liberal leader.
– Is it pictures of dead people in the streets of Butsja after Russian withdrawal that makes you react?
– We came up with the proposal for a billion weapons already the week after the invasion, so it is not new that we ask for increased support beyond what the Government has already done, but it has come a lot of documentation the last days showing war crimes and the killing and torture of civilians. We must help to stop this as soon as possible, says Melby.
She refers to a recent report from Human Rights Watch, which writes that they have documented cases of war crimes committed by Russian forces in the country.
“In addition, there has been violence and threats against the civilian population, in the period between 27 February and 14 March (…) Those who have committed these abuses are responsible for war crimes.”, they write, among other things. Russia have denied that they are behind war crimes in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor Party) asked earlier Sunday for an independent investigation into the possible war crimes.
“I am shocked by reports of unimaginable atrocities in Ukrainian areas from which Russia is withdrawing,” Huitfeldt said in a written statement to VG.
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