The Norwegian government will increase aid to Ukraine in the next 2025. The total amount has risen from 15 to 30 billion Norwegian kroner ($2.7 billion). This was reported by the local broadcaster NRK.
The amount of aid was agreed upon after consultations between the government and the opposition. They disagree on how to support Ukraine. Initially, the government had budgeted 15 billion kroons for next year. The opposition, the Conservative Party of Norway, believes that this is too little and has proposed to allocate 45 billion kroner next year.
Therefore, on Tuesday, the government and parliamentary leaders met in Storting to discuss further steps for support. After the meeting, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that the government proposes to double the offer to at least 30 billion Norwegian kroner.
“The situation in Ukraine is more serious. And we want Norway to be a clear and leading supporter of Ukraine’s struggle,” he said.
In addition to military support for Ukraine, the government also wants the money to be used to secure and increase electricity capacity and energy supply in Ukraine. This proposal is now to be discussed in party groups.
Mr. Støre is traveling to Stockholm to meet with the prime ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Prime Minister of Poland will also attend the meeting.
“Support for Ukraine will be one of the topics at this meeting,” he said.
And so the government has agreed to meet again with the parties in Storting to conclude an agreement on Norwegian support, this Thursday afternoon.
Last year, Norway approved the NOK 75 billion Nansen program, which provides for long-term support for Ukraine until 2027, with NOK 15 billion annually.
But this year, the country’s authorities proposed to increase funding for the program to 135 billion euros and extend it for another three years, until 2030.
