Norway supports Ukraine with 191 million euros in gas purchase

OSLO (dpa-AFX) – Norway is supporting Ukraine with the equivalent of almost 191 million euros in buying gas for the upcoming winter. Norwegian Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum signed a corresponding agreement on Monday in Oslo. The support of two billion Norwegian kroner is to be provided through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. “Ukraine has specifically asked Norway for support in procuring natural gas this winter,” Vedum said, according to a statement.

“As winter in Ukraine approaches in earnest, Russia is weaponizing energy and targeting critical infrastructure to break down Ukraine’s resistance,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt. “Russia’s actions are a serious violation of international law and are causing great distress to the people of Ukraine.”

In July, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that he would support Ukraine in the years 2022 and 2023 with a total of ten billion Norwegian kroner (almost 953 million euros).

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the grant for natural gas purchases in the Telegram news channel. According to Schmyhal, Ukraine currently has 14 billion cubic meters of natural gas in its storage facilities, which is sufficient for the heating season. “At the same time, we will accumulate additional resources in view of the Russian attacks on our critical infrastructure,” emphasized the 47-year-old.

Norway has been Germany’s most important gas supplier since the Russian gas supply ban in connection with the war in Ukraine. According to the Norwegian government, the country’s gas exports to Europe have increased by eight to ten percent. Due to the high prices, the Norwegian state is expected to earn significantly more from oil and gas exports this year./wbj/DP/ngu

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