Two Norwegian Ministers Arrive in Ukraine

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Minister of Labour and Inclusion Tonje Brenna have arrived in Kyiv on a visit, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry reported in a statement on social media platform X.

‘Today, the Norwegian Foreign Minister and the Minister of Labour and Inclusion are on a visit to Ukraine. Continued support for Ukraine is important not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for the security of Norway and Europe as a whole,’ the ministry wrote.

The Norwegian ministers arrived in Kyiv on the morning of 26 March.

‘We have arrived in Kyiv at a very important time for Ukraine. The war is going on at a very intense pace, both sides are preparing a position for negotiations that could pave the way for peace talks,’ Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said according to VG.  

He stressed the need to start planning for the post-war period now.  

‘Norwegian support should be long-term, and I think it is important to plan how we will continue to support Ukraine. I hope that one day it will be something other than huge amounts of ammunition,’ the Foreign Minister said.  

This is the first visit to Ukraine for the Minister of Labour and Integration, Tonje Brenna. It is connected with plans to discuss preparations for the return of Ukrainians who are under temporary protection in Norway.  

‘For me, it's about understanding the needs. We want the 90,000 Ukrainians in Norway to be best prepared to return to their country, which will one day be rebuilt,’ she commented.  

‘We want those who are currently studying to complete their studies. Ukrainian young people in Norway should be able to use this time to improve their skills - and in a way that meets the needs of Ukraine. We will discuss with the Ukrainian government what the country will need for a functional society after the years of war,’ explained Brenna.

As The Gaze reported, the Norwegian government will allocate about $242 million to strengthen the Ukrainian Navy.