Norway to increase support to Ukraine by NOK 50 billion

‘This is a significant contribution to Ukrainian and European security at a time of great global instability. The funding will be used to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to withstand pressure from Russia and improve Ukraine’s negotiating position. It will also be used to support the potential peace plan that is currently being developed in cooperation with other European countries,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway is increasing its support to Ukraine for 2025 by NOK 50 billion to NOK 85 billion. The additional funding will be used in its entirety to provide military support through international initiatives and procurements from the Ukrainian defence industry. Priority will be given to procurement of air defence systems, artillery ammunition and drones, as well as to enhancing Ukraine’s maritime capabilities.

Norway’s support is based on Ukraine’s needs and is coordinated with contributions from other European partners. The funds will be transferred in line with the established practice for providing support to Ukraine, so as to ensure that the support is used for the intended purpose.

‘Russia’s war against Ukraine is a watershed event for Europe and poses a serious threat to European peace and security. Russia’s war of aggression is continuing unabated, and Russia is rapidly rearming its military. I am therefore very pleased that all the political parties in the Storting have endorsed this increase in our support,’ said Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg.

Serious security policy situation

Norway’s support for Ukraine is important not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for the safety and security of Norway and Europe as a whole.

‘With this increase in funding, Norway is making another major contribution to supporting Ukraine in its legitimate fight to defend itself. I have recently returned home from Ukraine, where I visited Kharkiv, not far from the front. I saw first-hand the devastation caused by attacks on parts of the city where there are no military targets, just apartment blocks. Russia is showing no sign of ending the war. That is why we will focus our support on strengthening Ukraine’s military power as effectively and rapidly as possible, while also reinforcing Ukraine’s negotiating position,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

‘We will continue to target our military support towards maritime security and air defence, ammunition, and drones and autonomous systems. In addition, Norway will be leading a collaborative Nordic-Baltic effort to equip and train a Ukrainian brigade-level unit. The various countries will be providing funding and military equipment. Norway is taking on primary responsibility for training, but other countries will also be contributing to this,’ said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.

In line with the fiscal rule

The increase in military support for 2025 will entail a temporary increase in the use of funds from the Government Pension Fund Global, and reflects the need to safeguard fundamental Norwegian security interests. The proposed increase does not entail any changes to the established fiscal policy framework.

‘The proposed increase in funding is in line with the fiscal rule on the use of funds from the Government Pension Fund Global. It is important to maintain sound economic governance, particularly in times of turbulence,’ Mr Stoltenberg said.

The new allocation brings the overall funding framework for the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine up to NOK 205 billion for the period up to 2030.

Facts about the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine

• The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine was first launched on 16 February 2023 by the parliamentary leaders, the Norwegian Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky.
• The support programme has been endorsed by all the political parties in the Storting.
• When it was first launched, the support programme was to provide a total of NOK 75 billion over a five-year period from 2023 to 2027, with an annual disbursement of NOK 15 billion each year.
• Since the support programme was launched, the annual financial framework has been increased several times. In 2024, support amounted to a total of NOK 27 billion.
• In autumn 2024, all the parties in the Storting reached agreement on expanding and extending the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.
• The programme was extended by three years, to run through 2030.
• A minimum allocation of NOK 15 billion per year was established.
• At the same time, the allocation for 2025 was increased from NOK 15 billion to NOK 35 billion. The overall funding framework was increased to NOK 155 billion.
• This new allocation increases Norway’s overall support to Ukraine for 2025 by NOK 50 billion, bringing this year’s Norwegian contribution to NOK 85 billion and the overall funding framework for the period 2023–2030 up to NOK 205 billion.
• This additional funding will bring Norway’s defence spending in 2025 to an estimated 3.3 % of GDP.