Nordic nations Denmark and Norway are committing to provide more assistance to Ukraine amid the latter's continued fight against Russia's invasion.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Norwegian government said it would donate more National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Kyiv. The latest shipment would have a total cost of roughly $31 million.
Nordic Nations Provide Support to Ukraine
The development comes as air defense is seen as crucial for Ukraine and its government has requested additional systems to defend against Moscow's continued assaults. Kyiv's dire need for air defense systems prompted Norway to supply equipment from its reserves.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store previously announced the additional support during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. He also pledged to provide roughly $100 million in co-financing for a European effort to boost the production of artillery shells and missiles for Kyiv.
Store added that Ukraine is now entering the third winter since Russia launched its invasion of the European nation. As per Defense News, the Norwegian prime minister said that his country will be providing Kyiv with more air defense equipment to protect its cities against Moscow's strikes.
Norway's government said it would ornate eight more NASAMS launch systems and four more fire-direction units. Officials noted that it is the same number of systems that it has previously donated to the war-torn country.
This equipment can be sent "within a relatively short time" and will strengthen the Ukrainian military's air defense capabilities. NASAMS is a short- to medium-range system that Kongsberg and Raytheon developed.
In March, Norway said it would give Ukraine two firing units in cooperation with the United States on top of the two systems the American government provided to Kyiv in 2022. The Norwegian government said that while the systems it would donate to Ukraine are from its reserves, they can be given away without lowering its ability to defend itself.
Kyiv's Fight Against Moscow
On the other hand, Denmark will give Ukraine roughly $1.1 billion, a pledge that came a day after Zelensky traveled to Washington, DC, to shore up support for his country. On Wednesday, according to Newsweek, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the financial support to help Kyiv continue its war against Moscow.
The Nordic nation's aid package would include tanks, drones, ammunition, and other military equipment and supplies. During a joint press conference at the second annual Ukraine-Northern Europe Summit, Frederiksen said they were at a critical point in the war.
He said they need to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to continue its fight against its aggressor. The Danish prime minister noted that this was why it chose to cooperate with its partners and allies to provide long-term security for Kyiv.
Finland, Iceland, and Sweden were the other five Nordic nations that attended the summit. They all pledged continued support for Kyiv "for as long as it takes" amid its war with Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion, said Reuters.
