The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with a delegation of the Norwegian Storting Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense headed by the Committee's Chairman Ine Søreide
The parties discussed a number of important issues, including further military support for Ukraine and the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, as well as Ukraine's path to NATO and strengthening sanctions pressure against the russian federation.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said that the Norwegian Government would soon submit proposals to the Norwegian Parliament to redistribute aid under the Nansen Program in favor of the military component. He expressed confidence that Norwegian weapons and advanced technologies will continue to play a critical role on the battlefield in Ukraine.
At the same time, Ruslan Stefanchuk called for consideration of expanding the Nansen Program in general.
“Ukraine greatly appreciates that Norway is one of the leaders in providing assistance to Ukraine. But at the same time, further defense support from our allies and its increase is extremely important for us, as russia is waging a war of attrition,” the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine emphasized, noting that yesterday's attack on Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities only confirms the aggressor's terrorist intentions.
In addition, Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized that Ukraine greatly appreciates Norway's support for the President Zelenskyi's Peace Formula. He added that it would be valuable for Norway to continue to support specific points of the plan, in particular, food security.
At the same time, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine noted that Ukraine is looking forward to a powerful decision to be made during the Summit in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Alliance. “If Ukraine receives an invitation to join NATO, it will strengthen not only Ukraine, but the entire Alliance,” emphasized Ruslan Stefanchuk.
In conclusion, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine thanked that the level of relations between Norway and Ukraine, including the parliaments, remains at the highest level.