Zelensky visits Oslo for farewell to King Harald V, holds talks with Støre on air defense and FREYJA program
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Norway on September 8 to attend the farewell ceremony for King Harald V the following day. In Oslo, Zelensky met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for talks focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, including interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, preparations for winter, and further work on the FREYJA anti-ballistic program. The two leaders also met with executives from ten defense companies participating in FREYJA.
Key points
- President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Norway on September 8.
- The farewell ceremony for King Harald V was held on September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, beginning at 13:00 local time.
- Zelensky met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, with air defense, including interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, on the agenda.
- The leaders discussed preparations for Ukraine to get through the winter.
- Zelensky and Støre also discussed further work on the FREYJA anti-ballistic program.
- Together with Støre, Zelensky held a meeting with companies developing FREYJA: FirePoint, Kongsberg, Weibel, Saab, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Thales, Safran, Sener and Leonardo.
- Zelensky expressed condolences to Støre over the death of King Harald V.
Why it matters
The visit paired a high-profile diplomatic gesture at a royal funeral with substantive bilateral talks on military aid at a critical moment for Ukraine. Kyiv is pressing for more air defense and Patriot interceptor missiles ahead of winter, while the FREYJA program offers a longer-term, ten-country framework for integrated European missile defense that would also directly benefit Ukraine.
What happened
President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Norway on September 8 for the farewell ceremony for King Harald V, who died on August 28 at age 89. In Oslo, Zelensky met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on the day of arrival. The talks covered strengthening Ukraine's air defense, including Ukraine's need for interceptor missiles, particularly for Patriot systems; further work on the FREYJA anti-ballistic program, which brings together ten European countries; and preparations for Ukraine to get through the winter. Zelensky told Støre that Ukraine counts on continued Norwegian support, including through the PURL mechanism for purchasing American weapons, in which Norway is a leading contributor. Zelensky also expressed condolences to Støre over King Harald V's death. Together with Støre, Zelensky then held a meeting with the leadership of ten defense companies working on FREYJA: FirePoint, Kongsberg, Weibel, Saab, Diehl Defence, Hensoldt, Thales, Safran, Sener and Leonardo. Zelensky said the sides had agreed on concrete steps for leaders and manufacturers and that he expects first practical results, and added that he hoped Americans would support FREYJA. Støre called the meeting useful and aimed at improving air defense capabilities, and said Norway will maintain its level of support for Ukraine in 2027 at approximately $9 billion. On September 9, the farewell ceremony for King Harald V began at 13:00 local time at Oslo Cathedral.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian outlets centered the visit on the Zelensky–Støre meeting and on what Kyiv needs from Oslo, rather than on the funeral itself. Coverage highlighted Ukraine's air defense requirements, especially interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, winter preparations, and the FREYJA program as a vehicle for European missile defense. The funeral was treated as the formal occasion on which Zelensky offered condolences; the substantive news was the working meeting in Oslo.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on where King Harald V died: some say Oslo National Hospital (Rikshospitalet), others say Oslo University Hospital. There is also a discrepancy about his age at death: one source says 89, another says he died on the eve of his 90th birthday. Earlier accounts describe the FREYJA company meeting and several discussion items as planned, while later reports describe them as having taken place.
Background
King Harald V died on August 28 at age 89 and was Europe's oldest monarch at the time of his death. His son Haakon became king, referred to as Haakon VIII, and took the oath before the Norwegian parliament on September 1. An 'anti-ballistic coalition' began work on a European missile defense system in Paris on July 13. Ukraine plans to sign a contract for nearly a thousand Patriot missiles funded by an EU loan, with most deliveries spread over coming years. In December 2023, King Harald V received Zelensky at the Royal Palace in Oslo.