Norwegian PM announces USD 800 million in support for Ukraine at meeting with Zelenskyy

He said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Oslo on the morning of December 13, RBC-Ukraine reports.

"Today Norway announces clear additional support for Ukraine. I want to share this information with you. The Ukrainian government must pay nurses, doctors, teachers and other workers," said Støre.

"We are increasing our financial and humanitarian support by about USD 800 million for this year. We also want to announce that we will be supporting the Ukrainian people in 2024 from the very first months," he added.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Telegram that he had discussed with the Norwegian prime minister support for the Armed Forces, "continuing our work to protect free navigation in the context of Russia's attempt to block the Black Sea and our ports, and protecting our cities from terror.”

Earlier, Zelenskyy announced his arrival in Oslo on Telegram.

"I have arrived in Oslo to participate in the second Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit. Together with the leaders of Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden, we will talk about strengthening defense, political, and economic cooperation, about our common future in Europe," he wrote.

"Our goal is security and a just and lasting peace on the continent," the president added.

Zelenskyy said that he would hold bilateral talks with the summit participants and talk to Norwegian politicians and businessmen.

Earlier, the Norwegian publication Dagbladet reported that Zelenskyy's plane landed at Oslo airport at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

This is the president's first visit to Norway. In May, he visited Finland. In August of this year, he visited Sweden and Denmark.

Zelenskyy will be hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The meeting will focus on Norway's continued support for Ukraine.

"I warmly welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Norway. Now I look forward to meeting and talking with him. Norway continues to support Ukraine's defense struggle. We provide Ukraine with strong and long-term support in its fight for freedom and democracy. This is also important for our freedom and security," said the Prime Minister.

The meeting between Zelenskyy and Støre will be followed by a press conference.

The Ukrainian leader will also take part in the Nordic Summit with Støre, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The meeting will be followed by a press conference with President Zelenskyy and the leaders of the Nordic countries.

King Harald V will also receive the President of Ukraine at an audience in the Palace.

• On December 5, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said that in the coming weeks, probably before Christmas, the government would make an important decision to increase the production of artillery shells for Ukraine.