Norway pledges $1B for Ukraine’s  war crimes

Norway Friday promised 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) to help Ukraine.

Addressing a news conference in Kyiv alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Norway wanted to express its solidarity with Ukraine.

“We will pledge 1 billion euros in support to your country and your people for the remaining part of 2022 and for 2023,” he continued. “This war is a breach of international law. … You have the right to defend yourself and we have the right to help you defend yourself,” he asserted.

Asked whether Norway was willing to increase gas supplies to Europe, Stoere said Norway was already producing gas “at its maximum” but it would do everything it could to provide gas.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a joint news briefing, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2022. 8 Ukrainian Presidential Press Service Handout via Reuters)

Russia denies targeting civilians. Asked on Friday whether Russia had struck the apartment building in the resort village of Serhiivka, the Kremlin spokesperson said: “I would like to remind you of the president’s words that the Russian Armed Forces do not work with civilian targets.”