Greater and more long-term Norwegian support
With nearly three whole years since Russia’s illegal attack against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, I wish to echo the words of President Rinkevics: “The war in Ukraine is the litmus test for European resolve”.
Russia’s aggression continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security. Against it, Ukraine’s resilience continues to serve as a reminder to not take such peace for granted. We owe it to the brave Ukrainians to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to restore peace in Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable.
In Norway, all political parties in the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) are united in support for Ukraine and condemntation of Russia’s illegal war. Last November, with endorsement from across the political spectrum, the Parliament agreed to expand and increase the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.
The Nansen Programme was established in 2023 to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom. It is named after Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) – a Norwegian scientist, explorer, and diplomat who devoted much of his life to WWI victims and refugees in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Latvia. For these humanitarian and peace-making efforts, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922, the year of Latvian Constitution.
Today, Nansen’s name carries the same message as it did a century ago – a message of hope and support for those affected by war. It is crucial for Ukraine that our support is sustained across multiple years, and that there is broad political agreement behind it. The people of Ukraine can rely on Norway.
Doubling its original funding and extending its duration, Norway through the Nansen Programme has now allocated a minimum of NOK 154.5 billion (c. EUR 13 billion) to support Ukraine through 2030. In 2025 alone Norway will commit at least NOK 35 billion (c. EUR 3 billion) for both military support as well as humanitarian and civilian support.
Support to Ukraine will be used in areas where it is needed the most. There is close dialogue with Ukraine on how best to target the support being provided. When it comes to military support, priority is given to support to the Ukrainian defence industry. The Russian regime is bombing Ukraine’s power infrastructure, and we will also provide funding for efforts to secure adequate access to electricity for the Ukrainian population.
With the help of Norwegian defence industry partners such as Kongsberg and its Norwegian air defence system NASAMS, we help save Ukrainian lives and prevent the destruction of buildings and infrastructure every day in Ukraine. Working with other partners like the UK, we deliver vital anti-drone defence systems and support Ukraine’s needs to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. This is how Norwegian aerial and naval technology protects Ukraine against Russian attacks and supports the security of exports by sea, defending crucial revenue streams for Ukraine.
Latvia is punching above its weight supporting Ukraine across military, political, and humanitarian domains. The drone coalition is but one example of the massive and substantial efforts by Latvian authorities. The support is unwavering and a huge inspiration for other European allies.
In close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Ziedot.lv and the Ukrainian and Norwegian Embassies in Latvia, we have provided more than EUR 3 million in assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia under the EEA and Norway grants programme. This support is dedicated to various activities such as children’s summer camps, rehabilitation of injured soldiers, and language teaching.
Norway's commitment through the Nansen Programme confirms to the Ukrainian people, and the international community that Norway stands by Ukraine's existential struggle for territorial integrity, sovereignty and freedom in the long run. Working together with close allies as Latvia, we will not rest until Ukraine has regained its freedom and full territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Слава Україні!

Originally published in Latvijas Avīze on 31 January 2025
Written by:
Ine Måreng, Ambassador of Norway to Latvia
Daniels Griņevičs, Advisor at the Norwegian Embassy in Riga