OSLO: Norway will boost its civilian aid to Ukraine by five billion kroner ($475 million) this year and extend its aid package through 2030, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on Friday. This extension raises the total aid commitment to 135 billion kroner, up from a previous total of 75 billion kroner set for 2027.
In addition to this increase, Norway had already pledged 22 billion kroner in military and civilian aid for 2023. The new funding will focus on “important civilian needs,” Støre stated during a press conference with parliamentary leaders. “We are living through a very dangerous situation in Europe,” he added.
To pass the increased aid package in parliament, Støre’s center-left minority government will require support from the opposition, which has generally favored enhanced assistance to Ukraine. As a major gas and oil exporter, Norway has benefitted from rising prices due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Germany is also planning to increase its military aid to Ukraine by nearly 400 million euros ($445 million) this year, in addition to the 7.5 billion euros previously allocated.
