Norway has pledged one billion euros in funding to support the "brave people" of Ukraine, the country's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced during a trip to Kyiv on Friday, APA reports citing CNN.
Addressing journalists during a joint news conference alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Gahr Støre said he had "to come to Ukraine to express Norway's solidarity with the people of Ukraine."
"I have come to Kyiv today to say after five months of terrible war that Norway will pledge its solidarity with the people of Ukraine. And we will pledge one billion euros in support to your country and your people for the remaining part of 2022 and for 2023," the prime minister said.
The funding will be used to provide humanitarian aid and support Ukraine's defense and reconstruction efforts, according to Gahr Støre.
Zelensky thanked his Norwegian counterpart for the support package, saying Ukraine appreciates that it has "real friends" nearby.
Zelensky called Norway a "diligent and rational member of the international community," referencing the country's decision to support European Union sanctions against Russia despite not being a member of the bloc.
The Ukrainian leader also responded to the Russian missile strike on the port city of Odesa carried out during the early hours of Friday, calling it another example of an "act of terror against our cities."
"This brutality from Russia yet again confirms how correct the decision of our partners was to support Ukraine with defensive weapons. No country should be left alone against this evil and I'm grateful to Norway," Zelensky continued, highlighting how the country supported Ukraine "straight away."
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