Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced the allocation of 4 billion kroner ($400 million) in aid to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv on 12 January. He made the announcement at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, reports a Suspilne correspondent.
The funds will go toward restoring and repairing energy facilities, as well as supporting the functioning of the Ukrainian state. Specifically, the financing will cover salaries for teachers, medical workers, and civil servants, as well as pensions and social payments.
"This is money that Ukraine desperately needs, and that it needs now. Several times a week, Russia attacks the infrastructure that provides energy to ordinary people in Ukraine," Eide said.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister explained that ensuring Ukrainians can heat their homes, cook food, and live their lives "more or less as always" is crucial for them to continue enduring the war. "A war they are fighting for all of us," he added.
Andrii Sybiha thanked his counterpart for the new energy package, noting that it arrived at a critical moment. He emphasized that Norway was among the first to respond to Ukraine's need for additional gas supplies. In autumn, Norway allocated an additional energy aid package of approximately $150 million for Ukraine to purchase gas during winter.
According to Sybiha, the Norwegian government plans to allocate $8.4 billion in aid to Ukraine this year, maintaining support levels from the previous year. The country is also one of the leaders in the PURL program.
During his visit, Eide met with Sybiha and honored the memory of fallen defenders. The parties discussed mutually beneficial cooperation, peace efforts, defense, and Ukraine's resilience, the Norwegian minister reported.
