Norwegian Foreign and Labor Ministers Visit Kyiv to Reaffirm Support for Ukraine

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide arrived in Kyiv alongside Minister of Labor and Integration Tonje Brenna, Eide wrote on X on March 26.

“Today, I am in Ukraine with my colleague, Minister of Labor and Integration Tonje Brenna. We are here to express Norway’s unwavering support and long-term partnership with the people of Ukraine in this crucial moment,” Eide said.

While Eide has visited Ukraine before, this marks Brenna’s first trip to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale war. The ministers are set to meet with Ukrainian officials and assess the impact of Norway’s aid to Ukraine.

Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK ahead of the trip, Eide emphasized Norway’s potential role in supporting negotiations taking place in Saudi Arabia.

“Not least, we will look at how we can contribute to the ongoing talks in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Eide also cautioned against underestimating Russia’s ability to manipulate negotiations.

“It’s crucial that those involved in the talks recognize how exceptionally skilled Russia is at manipulation,” he warned. He also suggested that the US may have been premature in presenting an agreement “that wasn’t as mutually acceptable as initially believed.”

Norway, Eide added, can offer Ukraine valuable guidance on negotiating strategies.

“There is significant work happening across Europe regarding a potential role in monitoring any future agreement. I have rarely seen such levels of engagement around Ukraine as we are witnessing now,” he concluded.

Earlier, reports emerged that Norway will more than double its financial support for Ukraine this year while also increasing its own defense spending, the prime minister announced, calling the current security situation the most serious the country has faced in 80 years.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the government and opposition leaders had agreed to increase this year’s funding for Ukraine to 85 billion Norwegian crowns ($7.83 billion), up from the 35 billion crowns ($3.23 billion) planned in November.