4 years ago Russia launched full-scale invasion of Ukraine, inciting the largest war in Europe since World War II. Ukraine has battled and fought the aggressor since 2014. Ukraine’s fight is our fight. Our fight for peace.
When Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre recently gave his annual address on the security policy situation to the Parliament, he started out citing Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, author and civil activist, who in 1899 said: The initiative belongs to the small nations. For their lives are in peril.
It was a warning about the harsh reality of great power politics. And a reminder that “the small nations” are not powerless.
I do not have the space to share Prime Minister Støre’s full address, which you can read at www.norway.no. I will share parts of it, those that in my opinion are of particular relevance to the close cooperation between Latvia and Norway and our support to Ukraine.
We are living in a time when we are seeing more blatant use of force by major powers and a greater unpredictability. Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine continues unabated. Increasingly, major powers are disregarding international law and cooperation and displaying a greater willingness to use military and economic force. Authoritarian states are gaining greater influence.
But we are not powerless. We are strengthening our defence capabilities together with our Allies. We are investing in our resilience. We are strengthening our economic security.
The defining characteristic of today’s world is interdependence. In many key areas – energy, climate, health, sustainable development, artificial intelligence and security – countries must work together to find solutions. And in the long run, all of us will benefit from cooperation.
President Trump’s ambition to incorporate Greenland into the US is the most difficult matter we have had to deal with in our transatlantic relations for a long time. Norway’s position is crystal clear: Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Norway supports the Kingdom of Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The future of Greenland can only be decided by the people of Greenland and Denmark. A core principle in our security policy is that we still share vital interests with US. We are actively engaged in areas where we have shared interests. We will react, when necessary, as we have done. And we will stand by our values.
The level of Russia’s brutality towards Ukraine is without parallel in recent European history. The scale of humanitarian need is enormous.
Nevertheless, Ukraine perseveres. Infrastructure is being repaired on an ongoing basis. Ukraine’s defence capabilities are impressive – reinforced by a great capacity for innovation and international support.
Norway, as Latvia, stands with Ukraine. The main objective is to support Ukraine so that it can maintain its defence, win the war, or achieve a peace agreement on its own terms.
The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine has enabled Norway to provide predictable and stable support. Of the NOK 85 billion allocated to Ukraine for 2026, NOK 70 billion will be provided as military support. Our support is targeted towards measures that will strengthen Ukraine’s military power and areas that Ukraine itself has identified as priorities: air defence, ammunition and drones.
Task Force Legio was established in 2024. The operation is a joint initiative by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine. Norway has taken the lead. During the summer of 2025, the Norwegian Army established Camp Jomsborg in Poland, near the Ukrainian border. The aim is to provide rapid and efficient training and education of Ukrainians in Ukraine’s immediate vicinity.
We want peace in Ukraine. No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people. We have yet to see a similar willingness from Russia. Russia could end the war at any time
In this more dangerous, more unpredictable situation, we must pull together to do what it takes to safeguard us, our countries and region. It is in Europe and Canada that we find the community of shared values and interests that most clearly reflect our own. NATO remains the cornerstone of Europe’s military defence. We are working together to strengthen the
European defence industry, an area where we participate as a fully-fledged partner in EU.
Norway has a great deal to offer the EU, in areas such as the high-tech defence industry and space sector. Norway provides one third of Europe’s gas. Energy security is one of the areas where the interdependence between countries is most clearly seen and where cooperation brings significant benefits to the parties involved.
In these unrelenting times, when there is a new sense of gravity, it is important not to lose heart. The work to enhance our national security begins with essential fundamental tasks such as taking care of our children and youngsters and building vibrant inclusive communities.
Our approach is not based on naivety, but on realism. Without common rules, everyone loses. And if we want to preserve the rules, we must step up, seek cooperation and dare to stand up for what we believe in. We must actively engage with the world around us.
The most important thing all of us can do is to participate in our local communities. This is how we take responsibility. This builds trust. It strengthens our democracy, and it increases our resilience. It will help to keep us safe. The initiative belongs to us.