Norway’s Ukraine Support Faces Domestic and International Criticism

Norway’s seemingly modest contributions to Ukraine, despite its booming gas profits, have ignited criticism across Germany and Brussels. Even experts within the Norwegian government are urging for a more robust response.

<figure class="col-span-12 grid grid-cols-12 gap-x-8 lg:gap-x-12 items-end">
    <picture title="Foto: Terje Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix" class="relative image-loading-blur-lg overflow-hidden block col-span-10 md:col-span-8 md:col-start-3 cursor-pointer" style="aspect-ratio: 1.5" data-image-overlay-data="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://politiken.dk/incoming/img10252772.qw39iu/ORIGINALS/original_2000/Norway%20Ukraine%20Aid&quot;,&quot;highestResImgWidth&quot;:&quot;2000&quot;,&quot;lowResPreRenderUrl&quot;:&quot;https://politiken.dk/incoming/img10252772.qw39iu/ORIGINALS/original_150/Norway%20Ukraine%20Aid&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Norges statsminister, Jonas Gahr Støre, og finansminister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum har begge været ude at forsvare Norges Ukrainestøtte. Kritikere mener dog, den er for lav, når landet har tjent svimlende på at sælge gas under krigen. Her præsenterer de deres fem-årsplan for støtte i 2023 for den ukrainske præsident Volodomyr Zelenskyj. Foto: Terje Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix&quot;,&quot;aspectRatio&quot;:1.5}" js-activate-image-overlay=""></picture>
    <figcaption class="mt-2 font-sans-16 text-paper-800 col-span-2 border-l border-paper-800 -ml-4 lg:-ml-8 pl-4 py-2 text-paper-800">Norway's Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum have taken to the spotlight to defend the nation's support for Ukraine. Nevertheless, critics argue that this support falls short given the country's impressive earnings from gas sales during the ongoing conflict. They recently outlined a five-year support plan for 2023 to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Terje Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix</figcaption>
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    <p class="drop-cap">The conversation surrounding Norway's remarkable gas windfall and its relatively modest support for Ukraine has now transcended borders, drawing attention from neighboring nations.</p>

    <p>In a segment titled *Too Fussy?*, which translates to "Too Stingy?", German radio program Deutschlandfunk aired a five-minute discussion that delves into Norway's substantial profits during the Ukraine conflict and contrasts them with the comparatively low level of aid flowing to Ukraine, especially when measured against Denmark's contributions. The program featured sharp critiques from Politiken's editor-in-chief, Christian Jensen, and included voices from disgruntled Ukrainians and Ola Elvestuen, a member of the Norwegian Parliament from the Left Party, who candidly acknowledged the inadequacy of Norway's support.</p>
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