Helicopters whirred overhead and armed police blocked off city streets as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lengthy motorcade headed for the prime minister’s residence in Oslo on Wednesday. Once there he received a warm welcome from Norwegian government leaders, and more promises of ongoing support.
Zelensky’s visit came as a surprise to many, but key Norwegian ministers were well-prepared including Norway’s new finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg. He and Zelensky met numerous times while Stoltenberg served as secretary general of NATO, and now they were meeting again in Oslo.
“Good to see you, do you remember me?” Stoltenberg joked, as Zelensky followed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr up the stairs at the government’s official guest house and residence compound.
“Life is full of surprises,” responded Zelensky before the two embraced amid smiles and laughter. Zelensky also hugged Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, and shook hands with the new Norwegian defense minister Tore O Sandvik, who simply said, “Hi!”
Before they all went into a meeting to discuss what Zelensky said would be “the United States and security guarantees” for Ukraine, he and Støre sat down for some opening remarks grounded in mutual admiration. Støre stressed that he and his government were “welcoming a friend today, a friend in a struggle for some obvious European and international rights to lead an independent and sovereign state.” The Norwegian prime minister further stressed Norway’s “unanimous support in Parliament” to keep helping Ukraine in its defense and development.
“Norway is on Ukraine’s side in the very dramatic situation,” Støre said, adding that he and his colleagues looked forward “to these hours in Oslo, to talk abour how we work together and how we can move towards peace.”
Zelensky, who also just met with leaders of Finland, expressed his gratitude to Norway, saying he agreed “100 percent” with Støre that “we are real friends.” The Ukrainian leader also said that financial support from Norway (just boosted by the equivalent of NOK 50 billion, to NOK 85 billion this year alone) will be used for weapon production in Ukraine and to strengthen Ukraine’s energy supplies and security. He was particularly grateful, he said, for Norway’s “energy support” since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.
Norway, like Ukraine, also shares a border with Russia and had long had relatively good relations, but they collapsed when Russia invaded Ukraine. It’s been difficult for Norway, which has long wanted to remain on good terms with all its neighbours, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed everything. Støre told Zelensky once again that “you fight for values that are very important to us,” adding that “we share your goal” for a free and independent Ukraine, a lasting peace and security guarantees.
Støre also wants Ukraine “to have a big place at the (negotiating) table” in the wake of Tuesday’s lengthy phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the new US President Donald Trump, the contents of which remain unclear. At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Støre also called for “a strong European voice” in the peace process.
Zelensky said a the press conference that new talks involving the US, Russia and Ukraine this time are planned for Monday in Saudi Arabia. He seemed encouraged after his own conversation with Trump earlier this week, but said in Oslo that he doesn’t think Russia will go along with a cease-fire. Zelensky nonetheless stressed the importance of “trying to take steps in the right direction,” adding that Ukraine has proposed that a cease-fire can begin at sea and in the air.
The Ukrainian president also hasn’t given up on NATO membership despite Putin’s strong resistance. Zelensky told reporters in Oslo that NATO membership would solve a lot of problems, and he thinks it’s sad that Ukraine isn’t a member of the defense alliance already.
Støre, meanwhile, mentioned at the press conference that Norway was using its own “good and close relation” to the US at many levels for the benefit of Ukraine. “We have a close alliance with the USA, with many contacts that I think are important to use.” Asked whether Norway might take on a peace-broking role, Støre said “no, that’s not what I’m talking about here.”
Zelensky was also meeting with Crown Prince Haakon at the Royal Palace in Oslo Thursday afternoon. The crown prince has the additional role as “regent” this week since his father, King Harald V, is on holiday abroad.
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund