Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 3 June that Norway is ready to help with air defense supplies, Zelenskyy announced on X following the call.
The pledge comes as Ukraine faces a documented shortfall in air defense capacity. Zelenskyy wrote to US President Donald Trump and members of Congress last week stating that delivery rates through NATO's PURL procurement program are not keeping pace with operational needs—an acknowledgment that Norway's readiness to contribute addresses a gap Ukraine has named at the highest level.
Air defense and PURL contributions
In the call, Zelenskyy thanked Støre for condolences over casualties from Russia's 2 June attack, in which Russian missiles and drones killed 23 people and injured 151. The two leaders discussed air defense supplies, though Zelenskyy provided no further details on volumes, systems, or timelines.
Norway directed approximately $303 million toward the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine through the NATO PURL program in early May. Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov disclosed last month that more than 90% of Ukraine's means for countering ballistic missiles arrives through PURL. The Defense Ministry has also stated that current partner contributions to PURL are sufficient to continue deliveries.
European anti-ballistic capability
Zelenskyy used the post-call statement to restate a broader goal: building a European-owned capability to intercept ballistic missiles. "When Europe is protected against ballistic missiles, it will boost confidence not just for someone alone on our continent, but truly for all Europeans," he wrote.
He added that preparatory work for upcoming meetings is underway and that dedicated formats for that work will follow, without specifying participants or dates.
