In Kyiv, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Chief of the General Staff Major General Andrii Hnatov held high-level talks with Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.
Umerov wrote this in a Facebook post, as reported by Ukrinform.
“We highly appreciate the support from Norway—the government, the people, everyone who stands with Ukraine in the fight for freedom. In 2025, aid to Ukraine will reach 1.5% of Norway’s GDP, which is an extremely important contribution. Thank you for your solidarity and determination,” Umerov stressed.
The discussions focused on implementing a long-term assistance framework known as the Norwegian model. Key topics also included large-scale investment in joint defense projects and deeper integration of Ukraine’s defense industry with allied partners.
Ukrainian and Norwegian defense officials focused on expanding cooperation in several critical areas, including the joint production and procurement of UAVs, industrial projects in air defense, electronics, and interceptors, as well as the transfer of additional NASAMS systems and munitions capable of intercepting ballistic targets.
“We have handed over a list of potential projects to our partners—we expect the first concrete agreements in the near future,” said Umerov.
The parties also discussed the development of a Scandinavian-Baltic brigade. Ukraine has already begun receiving weapons under this initiative and is working with partner nations to train and equip its troops accordingly.
Tore Onshuus Sandvik confirmed that Norway will allocate an additional $400 million for the purchase of Ukrainian-made weapons to support the country’s defense needs. Both sides agreed to coordinate their approaches to shaping military assistance plans for 2026 to ensure the most effective support for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Rustem Umerov expressed gratitude to his Norwegian counterpart, as well as to the Norwegian government and people, for their unwavering support.
“Together we are strengthening European security and bringing victory closer,” Umerov emphasized.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Minister Sandvik to discuss joint arms production, investment in Ukraine’s defense industry, and the enhancement of air defense capabilities.
Photo: Rustem Umerov / Facebook
Source: Ukrainian military leadership and Norway’s defense minister discuss bilateral cooperation
