Norway will provide aid of 2.7 billion kroner (230.3 million euros) to the Ukrainian naval forces to support their defence in the Black Sea, the government announced.
The funds will also be used to train Ukrainian soldiers and for demining operations, it added, as quoted by AFP.
"Ukraine needs more support to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea in the coming period. It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and infrastructure from attacks by the Russian Black Sea Fleet," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storre said.
"It is also important to protect the export of grain and other products by sea, which generates crucial revenues for Ukraine," added Storre.
According to the Norwegian government, SEK 100 million (€8.5 million) has already been earmarked for maritime training and other measures for 2025, and it has just approved a new programme worth SEK 2.6 billion (€221.8 million).
The support will include donations from the Norwegian armed forces, as well as military equipment purchased by industry, which will be donated.
"Mines are a serious threat to maritime safety and passage through the Black Sea, and mine clearance operations are very difficult," said Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
"The systems we are supplying will improve the ability of Ukrainian forces to detect and clear mines along their coast," Gram added.
Norway and the UK are leading the Ukraine Maritime Capabilities Coalition, which was launched in December 2023.
This new programme of support was announced during the visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Norway. | BGNES
