Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has impressed the world with his fighting spirit and ability to communicate.
He has given speeches to national assemblies around the world, and today, Wednesday, it is the turn of the Norwegian Parliament and its elected representatives.
– What is happening in the Storting today is historic, says Gharahkhani.
– SYMBOLIC: Giving Volodymyr Zelenskyj the opportunity to speak to the Storting has an important symbolic value, Gharahkhani believes. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / AP
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One of four
The Storting’s rostrum is reserved for Norwegian elected representatives. Before Zelensky, only three exceptions to that rule have been made.
– The reason why we make this exception is that the Storting is the heart of democracy in Norway. We know that Zelensky and the Ukrainian people are fighting a battle for democracy, freedom and independence, which is exactly what the Storting stands for, he says.
Until 2014, only Sir Winston Churchill had the honor of speaking to the Storting. He visited Norway in 1948 where he was thanked for his efforts during the war and, among other things, was appointed honorary doctor at the University of Oslo.
– That Zelenskyj wants to speak to the Storting is a great honor, says the President of the Storting.
The next two foreign speakers came in 2014, when the Storting celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution.
Then the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Mogens Lykketoft, and the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament spoke during the memorial meeting in the Storting.
– IMPRESSION: President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani (Labor Party) says that the speeches of the Ukrainian president have made a deep impression. Photo: Guro Asdøl Midtmageli / TV 2
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The message to Norway
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in its second month. The war brings with it massive destruction, heavy civilian casualties and millions of people fleeing.
– It is a brutal and inhuman war. It is the biggest war in Europe since World War II and a huge humanitarian catastrophe with the influx of refugees coming, says Gharahkhani.
The President of the Storting envisages that Zelenskyj will be well prepared for the meeting with Norway, and that he will make clear demands.
– He will provide feedback on what he is happy with, and thank Norway for the effort. He will also convey his expectations of how European countries will line up in the future so that they can win their battle against war and for democracy, says Gharahkhani.
– VIDEO: The president, wearing a green t-shirt, keeps in touch with his people and the world via video. Photo: The Ukrainian Press Department / Handout / AFP
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– Also our match
The President of the Storting thinks that the President of Ukraine will probably have clear expectations of Norway.
– My colleagues will be present, and then we must consider what is being said and think about how we will line up in the future. A key issue is also to provide support to Ukraine so that they can rebuild the country on the day there will hopefully be peace.
Gharahkhani emphasizes the importance of the Norwegian people continuing to stand up and show solidarity with Ukraine.
He believes that today’s speech also sends an important Norwegian signal.
– We show that their match is also our match, says Gharahkhani.
Zelenskyj will speak to Norwegian elected representatives on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
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