Zelensky Discusses Ukraine’s Defense Funding With Norway’s Political Leaders
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the speaker of Norway’s Storting and leaders of all the country’s political parties to discuss financial support for Ukraine, including its defense budget deficit. They also addressed efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Key points
- Zelensky met with Storting Speaker Masud Gharakhani and leaders of all Norwegian political parties.
- The talks covered financial assistance for Ukraine and covering its defense budget deficit.
- The parties also discussed returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
- Zelensky called Norway one of the leading providers of bilateral aid to Ukraine.
- Zelensky arrived in Norway on October 20 and met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on October 21.
- He also held talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Why it matters
The meeting connected Norwegian political backing across party lines with Ukraine’s immediate defense financing needs. It also linked military support to efforts to return children abducted by Russia, while Zelensky’s wider talks in Norway highlighted bilateral partnerships as a complement to EU assistance.
What happened
During a visit to Norway, Zelensky met with the speaker of the Storting, Norway’s parliament, and leaders of all political parties in the country. They discussed financial assistance for Ukraine, ways to cover its defense budget deficit and measures concerning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Norwegian parliamentarians, the government and the public and described Norway as one of the leading bilateral aid providers. On October 20, he also held talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff alongside Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasized the broad parliamentary backing represented by the presence of the Storting speaker and leaders of all Norwegian parties. It highlighted the discussion of covering Ukraine’s defense budget deficit and framed Norway’s bilateral assistance as an important complement to support from the European Union.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian sources differ over whether Zelensky’s meeting with Prime Minister Støre occurred before or after the parliamentary meetings, and whether his meetings with parliamentarians and US envoys took place on the same day or on consecutive days.
Background
Zelensky described Norway as one of the leading providers of bilateral aid to Ukraine. His visit included talks with Norwegian parliamentary and government leaders and separate negotiations with US, Finnish and other European participants.