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Ukraine is fighting for its freedom. They have been doing that for over ten years now, ever since Russia invaded Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in February 2014. In February 2022, Russia attacked again with the aim of occupying significantly larger areas. The resilience and defensive will of the Ukrainian people stopped the Russian attack. Ukraine resisted the invasion and has continued to fight for its freedom along the entire long front.
Ukraine is not alone. Western countries, led by NATO member countries, support Ukraine with, among other things, donations of military material and the education and training of Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine is completely dependent on both short-term and long-term support to succeed. The military support and contributions are producing results.
Norway is involved, and we keep what we promise.
We must and must continue to support Ukraine, there are several good reasons for that.
Firstly, we cannot accept that Russia, Norway’s neighboring country, invades another neighboring country. It is unacceptable and challenges the entire international legal order.
Secondly, it is important to support Ukraine in solidarity with a people who feel that their right to peace, freedom and democracy is threatened and attacked. We experienced it ourselves in 1940 and still never say April 9 again.
Third, our support for Ukraine is part of the solidarity many democratic countries have shown after Russia attacked.
Unity is at the heart of our alliance. NATO countries, along with many others, have shown a unity I’m sure Russia underestimated. Together we are strong, and together we make Ukraine stronger.
Immediate action must be taken
Give and get
I recently visited the training our Norwegian instructors give our Ukrainian friends in the UK. Our soldiers express that the mission is one of the most meaningful things they have been part of. The meeting with Ukrainian soldiers preparing for the fight for their freedom makes an impression. Impressions that confirm how correct and important our support is. Through our support, we give a little, but we get an infinite amount in return. A main reason why we now have a stronger and bigger NATO is because we all give. Then we get everyone back.
Militarily, it is important to learn as much as we can from the war in Ukraine. The military support to Ukraine has become increasingly better coordinated. Coalitions of countries that come together for support in designated areas have been established. Together with Great Britain, Norway has taken the lead in developing the Ukrainian navy through a maritime coalition. We also participate in other so-called capability coalitions, for example with Norwegian instructors on the F-16 fighter jet in Denmark and mine clearance training in Lithuania.
Must restore what is donated
The armed forces’ support is gathered in a large operation we have called “Operation Ellisiv”. We are helping to support Ukraine in a more coordinated way than before and we are learning. The main purpose is and will be to support Ukraine’s defense struggle, but at the same time we learn from the ongoing war.
By converting the expensive experience gained from Ukraine, Norway and NATO will also be better prepared for the future. Russia has tied up large forces in the war in Ukraine now, but we must be prepared for a more uncertain future. There is broad agreement that the Armed Forces must be strengthened in the years ahead, which the government’s proposal for a new long-term plan for the defense sector is a clear expression of.
Our support has broad support in our population. Some point out challenges in that we donate military material from our own stores at home, such as anti-aircraft and artillery shells. This risk is acceptable, and we re-acquire what we donate.
Russia has made a mistake by attacking Ukraine. Ukraine’s ability and willingness to repel Russian attacks reinforces this mistake. The war is in Ukraine now and Ukraine’s struggle is important for the safety of all of us. We have the same neighbor and will not tolerate the injustice committed by Russia. Our soldiers contribute well in supporting Ukraine, we learn from experience and we build up our own defence.
Our Ukrainian friends deserve all our support in their struggle for peace, freedom and democracy.
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