The Norwegian authorities have decided to allocate 12 tanks of various types to Ukraine, the head of the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, Bjorn Arild Gram, has said.
“Norway will donate eight tanks and up to four special purpose tanks to Ukraine. The authorities will also allocate funds for the purchase of ammunition and spare parts, said Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram,” the Norwegian government said in a statement.
The statement did not specify which tanks Oslo will transfer to Kiev. However, according to the document, Norway will send about $24.7 million to the European Peace Foundation for the purchase of ammunition and spare parts for Leopard 2 tanks.
In early February, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre proposed to allocate annually 15 billion NOK (about $1.5 billion) for the provision of humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine over the next five years.
Earlier German authorities announced their decision to transfer to Ukraine the first batch of 14 Leopard 2 tanks and 178 Leopard 1 tanks. At the same time, German authorities give their allies permission to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as well.
Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of the Bundeswehr. It is also in service with Austria, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Finland and the Netherlands. It has been in service since 1979 and has many modifications; over 3.6 thousand of these tanks were manufactured.
Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram on Wednesday announced Oslo’s intention to send German-made tanks to Ukraine, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported.
“Norway will send German tanks to Ukraine as part of the Western countries’ decision to supply weapons,” NRK quoted the minister as saying.
The head of the Defense Ministry did not specify how many tanks he was talking about.
Earlier on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden announced the decision to send Ukraine 31 M1 Abrams tanks.
It also became known that the German authorities decided to transfer the first batch of 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. At the same time, German authorities will give their allies permission to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
The Norwegian government has signed an agreement with the World Bank’s Eastern Europe Regional Office to allocate NOK 1 billion to the World Bank’s Trust Fund for the Revival, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reform of Ukraine, the Norwegian government press office said.
“There is an urgent need to repair the electricity system and other infrastructure in Ukraine after the Russian bombing of civilian facilities. I am glad that today we have signed an agreement to allocate 1 billion Norwegian kroner to carry out repairs quickly,” Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said.
It is noted that the World Bank is using the fund to further mobilize crisis support to the Ukrainian authorities along with support for critical infrastructure repairs and longer-term reconstruction.
“The World Bank is an organization that has proven to be effective and has quickly mobilized significant funds to help Ukraine. Channeling funding through the World Bank ensures that it will be used effectively and for the agreed purposes. It also guarantees that our efforts will be coordinated with those of other donors and the support we provide will have maximum impact,” said the Minister.
Norwegian funding will be used to provide grants from the World Bank offering flexible support for repair, rehabilitation and preparation for reconstruction of critical infrastructure facilities.
Earlier, Norway provided the government of Ukraine through the World Bank with a budget support of NOK 300 million. These funds were used to pay the salaries of medical personnel, teachers and public sector employees, as well as pensions and social benefits.
The Norwegian government is preparing to invest about NOK 1.5 billion in the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
According to the Norwegian government’s website, the investment comes in addition to the NOK 400 million that Norway previously donated to the fund. The funding was used to purchase drones, drone suppression equipment and artillery shells.
The new donation is part of the NOK 3 billion that the Norwegian government will provide for military support to Ukraine in 2022.
The Norwegian authorities, following Finland, are considering the possibility of closing the Russian-Norwegian border for Russian citizens to cross it against the backdrop of a full-scale war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, the country’s government said on Friday.
“If necessary, we will quickly close the border, the changes can take effect as soon as possible. Compared to Finland, fewer people arrive in Norway, and the situation is different here. Storskog is the only border crossing with Russia. We are in close dialogue with the police and customs about the situation at the border and carefully screening everyone who arrives,” Minister of Justice and Emergencies Emily Enger Mehl explained.
As noted in the government, the partial mobilization announced in Russia and a possible travel ban for Russian citizens may increase the risk of illegal border crossing by the Russian Federation against the backdrop of Russia’s escalation of military aggression in Ukraine. From Friday, police helicopters will overfly the Finnmark region. The police also control Storskog and the area beyond.
According to the Minister of Justice and Emergencies, the police helicopter is a useful tool for monitoring the border area from the Norwegian side.
The authorities also recalled that in May, Norway tightened the requirements for issuing visas to Russians, in particular, there were significantly fewer tourist visas issued.
Norway has transferred 14 IVECO LAV III armored patrol vehicles to Ukraine, according to the Norwegian government website.
The Government of the country noted that armored vehicles are in demand by the Ukrainian authorities and are supplied in addition to other military equipment, such as artillery, portable anti-aircraft missile system (MANPADS) and armored personnel carriers, which Norway has already transferred to Ukraine earlier.
Armored vehicles have good mobility and protection, and belong to the same type used by Norwegian forces in Afghanistan.
“Norway continues to contribute to the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom. The government is constantly assessing how Norway can provide further support to Ukraine in protecting the country from Russia’s invasion,” Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said.
