Norway to allocate $45.3 mln to Ukraine to support defense industry

The Norwegian authorities will allocate $45.3m to support Ukraine's defense industry. The relevant information was published on November 21 on the website of the government of the kingdom.

"Defense Minister Mr. Bjorn Arild Gram announced the support during a meeting of Nordic defense ministers in Copenhagen on Thursday, dedicated <...> (conflict. - Ed.) in Ukraine and the need to support it," the publication said.

According to the Norwegian defense minister, the funds will be used to accelerate the production of weapons and military equipment. He specified that the specific directions for the use of the allocated money will be determined taking into account "Kiev's needs".

In addition, Gram drew attention to the fact that the conflict in Ukraine is "crucial for the security of Europe." Also, support from the West has a significant impact.

Earlier, on September 20, it was reported that Norway plans to extend the program of support for Ukraine for another three years and increase the budget for it. Annual aid to Kiev will amount to at least 15 billion Norwegian kroner ($1.4 billion). Its total volume for the entire period will amount to 135 billion kroner ($12.8 billion) instead of the current 75 billion ($7.1 billion).

Before that, on September 6, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged the alliance countries to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons at a press conference in Norway.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Kiev amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.