Norway has pledged 85 billion Norwegian Kroner ($9.1 billion) to Ukraine, as other European allies reaffirm their backing for Kyiv through financial aid and support for arms production.
The amount is in line with what the Nordic country pledged for fiscal year 2026 and is intended for military, financial, and humanitarian needs, according to a speech delivered by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Kyiv on Aug. 23.
“It will follow Ukrainian priorities,” Store said. “Ukraine defines the needs, and we do what we can to respond to them. Supporting and rebuilding Ukraine is not assistance alone. It is an investment in Europe’s own security.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he and Store signed an agreement on defense and security cooperation, which he said in a post on X on Sunday will “strengthen the foundation of the long-term partnership between our countries in defense, energy, and the resilience of our people.”
The pledges of support and cooperation came the day before Ukraine’s Independence Day, which marks the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991.
This year’s anniversary—as Ukraine endures its fifth year in its war with Russia—has seen messages of support from allies around the world.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Monday that the United States reaffirmed its cooperation with Ukraine and is committed to negotiating a settlement to the war.
“On this Independence Day, as Ukrainians honor their nation’s history and celebrate their courage, innovation, and resilience, the United States reinforces its strong commitment to advancing our economic and security ties and forging a path towards peace and prosperity for both of our nations,” Rubio said.
UK Shares Classified Technology
Foreign leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark 35 years since Ukraine declared independence; among them was British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Downing Street said in a statement that the prime minister reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine, with Burnham expected to chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, an international alliance working to facilitate a peace deal and secure Ukraine’s long-term security.
The statement also said that London had agreed to allow defense firm MBDA to release classified information on British components for the long-range cruise missile SCALP, so that Ukraine can establish its own local assembly lines.
The move followed the UK’s becoming the first partner to provide Kyiv with long-range strike weapons for defensive purposes in 2023.
Ukrainian and foreign officials attend a ceremony marking Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 24, 2026. Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo
Moscow has said that London’s decision to give the classified information to Kyiv “adds fuel to the fire.”
“Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire [of the Ukrainian conflict],” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Aug. 24, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
“And it methodically and regularly plots in order to prevent any development of the peaceful settlement process. This is exactly what the UK is doing.”
EU Pledges a Further $7.1 Billion
Burnham remarked on the UK and Ukraine’s enduring friendship, saying it will outlast the war, according to the statement.
“In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries,” the British prime minister said.
“Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”
Downing Street said in the statement that the UK was one of Ukraine’s foremost allies since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022, providing economic, military, and diplomatic support.
London has committed 25 billion pounds ($34.1 billion) in funding to Kyiv, including 16 billion pounds ($21.8 billion) in military assistance and 5.6 billion pounds ($7.6 billion) in nonmilitary support.
The European Union also announced on Aug. 24 that it had approved a further 6.1 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in new defense procurement funding for Ukraine.
The EU said in a statement that this will cover the cost of missiles, ammunition, radar, and air and missile defense systems.
It added that this is on top of the 16 billion euros ($18.7 billion) in previously approved procurement plans, around half of which has already been disbursed to Ukraine.
“As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies. Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
