News Feed

Zelensky arrives in Norway for unannounced visit

1 min read
Zelensky arrives in Norway for unannounced visit
President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 12, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Oslo for a surprise visit, where he will meet with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, the Norwegian government announced on Dec. 13.

The visit comes after several days of international travel for Zelensky, which has seen him visit Argentina to attend the inauguration of newly elected President Javier Milei and to Washington, where he met with President Joe Biden and top Congressional leaders.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Volodymyr Zelensky to Norway. I look forward to our constructive talks," Stoere said.

"Norway will continue to support Ukraine's fight to defend itself. We are providing targeted, long-term support to assist Ukraine in its battle for freedom and democracy. Ukraine's efforts are important to safeguarding freedom and security here in Norway as well."

Zelensky will also join the Nordic summit, along with leaders of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland.

As of Oct. 31, Norway is ranked first in terms of its financial commitments to Ukraine when calculated by percentage of GDP, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.  

It has provided around 7.2 billion euros ($7.7 billion) in aid to Ukraine, including 3.6 billion euros ($3.9 billion) in military assistance, the Kiel Institute said.

Update: 53 injured in Russian attack on Kyiv
A Russian missile attack against Kyiv during the early hours of Dec. 13 injured 53 people, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said via his official Telegram channel. At least 20 people were taken to the hospital, including two children.
Article image

Avatar
Nate Ostiller

News Editor

Nate Ostiller is a former News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. He works on special projects as a researcher and writer for The Red Line Podcast, covering Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and focused primarily on digital misinformation, memory politics, and ethnic conflict. Nate has a Master’s degree in Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasgow, and spent two years studying abroad at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. Originally from the USA, he is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Read more
News Feed
Video

Ukraine is striking oil refineries deep inside Russia — but it’s not really the oil they’re after. The Kyiv Independent’s Dominic Culverwell explains how Ukraine’s drone campaign targets the high-tech equipment Russia cannot easily replace under sanctions.

 (Updated:  )

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski’s visit came days after the largest Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace during a mass strike on Ukraine, in what Polish officials describe as a "deliberately targeted" strike and provocation.

When asked about the Ukraine-Russia talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov replied that communication channels have been established and exist, but as of now, "it’s more accurate to say there is a pause" in dialogue.

Show More