On March 26, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Minister of Labour and Social Integration Tonje Brenna.
The parties focused on discussing joint humanitarian programs, particularly those being implemented in cooperation with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). Special attention was given to national initiatives supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as the importance of engaging partners in their financing.
"The Ukrainian government is consistently reforming the social sector to improve the quality and standards of targeted assistance. Our priority is to ensure that every person who truly needs help receives it," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister also noted Norway's assistance in the energy sector, particularly its willingness to contribute 140 million euros through the EBRD for the purchase of gas for Ukrainian gas storage facilities.
"After the war, Ukraine, thanks to its gas storage facilities, aims to become Europe's gas safe, where European countries will store blue fuel," said the Head of the Ukrainian Government.
One of the key topics of discussion was sanctions against Russia. Denys Shmyhal stressed the need to continue increasing pressure on the aggressor to force it into peace, focusing on critical areas such as the nuclear sector, the banking system, and the shadow fleet.
"An equally important element of pressure is frozen Russian assets. We need to find a mechanism for their confiscation and direction to benefit Ukraine," noted the Prime Minister.
