We are in close dialogue with Ukraine about what they need and when different needs arise.
Opinion piece: – Development assistance helps build resilience in Ukraine
Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust and Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset
Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war is now entering its fifth year. Millions still require humanitarian assistance.
– It is our duty to help in the best possible way, write Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust and Norad Director General Gunn Jorid Roset.
This article was first published in Panorama on 24 February 2026.
Read also: Long-term support for Ukraine is vital – regjeringen.no
Read also: Long-term support for Ukraine is vital – regjeringen.no
A person walks past an emergency tent set up for residents left without electricity and heating in a residential area of Kyiv on 23 January 2026, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
War destroys lives and hinders development. The war in Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, is a clear example of this. Millions need support, and it is our duty to help in the best possible way.
The humanitarian needs in Ukraine are immense. At its core, this is about people. Nearly eleven million people require humanitarian assistance.
The Ukrainian state depends on budget support to keep essential services running. A shattered energy infrastructure needs rebuilding.
“This is a new way of attacking us. They are not only attacking along the front line; they want us to freeze to death", said Anastasiia Stanko, editor of slidstvo.info, when she recently visited Oslo for the Norad Conference.
The images from a freezing Ukraine leave a strong impression.
This is precisely why supporting gas procurement and rebuilding Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is a key priority for Norway.
Editor Anastasiia Stanko speaking at the Norad Conference 2026.
Norwegian support
Since 2022, Norway has supported the energy sector with NOK 13.7 billion. At the same time, we support a range of organisations such as the UN, the Red Cross and Caritas to deliver generators, blankets and hot meals. All to ease the biting cold.
There is broad political consensus on the Norwegian support to Ukraine. Through the civilian component of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway has provided NOK 37.3 billion in support to Ukraine from 2022 to 2025, including NOK 2.1 billion for neighbouring Moldova. Most funding is channelled through major organisations such as the World Bank and the UN, but it is important to underline that we also support Ukrainian civil society.
The programme is flexible and designed to act swiftly as needs evolve. If major energy needs arise, we redirect support accordingly.
In many ways, the Nansen Support Programme is unique in the context of development assistance. Both the scale and the pace are high. Ukraine also stands out as a middle-income country. At the same time, the programme has become an increasingly integrated part of how we work with development cooperation across the administration. Knowledge gained from Ukraine is applied in other efforts and vice versa.
Ukraine is driving the development
Civil society is a driving force for defence, solidarity and hope for the future. Norway supports Ukrainian civil society organisations working to strengthen human rights, gender equality and protection, democracy, governance and anti-corruption efforts. Directly and through partners, Norway currently supports more than 300 civil society organisations. Together, these organisations contribute to Ukrainian democracy and societal resilience.
Kyiv, 19 December 2025, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian civil society plays a crucial role in combating corruption, as seen last summer through large-scale protests when the independence of anti-corruption authorities was challenged.
Our cooperation with Ukraine is also characterised by mutual learning. We benefit from Ukraine’s ability to develop and adopt new technology, and we learn from their experience as we strengthen our own preparedness.
Calculated risk
Nevertheless, providing Ukraine with funding of this size is not free of risk. Corruption has been a challenge for decades.
We have zero tolerance for corruption, but that does not mean we cannot take risks. The risk of not supporting Ukraine is greater.
Even during the war, Ukraine is implementing reforms. The goal is to move closer to EU membership. This also means they must address corruption, which they have done.
The latest measurement from Transparency International shows progress, thanks to independent anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO, which uncover and investigate corruption. This autumn, they uncovered large‐scale corruption within the energy sector; the former Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko has now been charged with corruption.
In Norway, we monitor developments closely. We have clear requirements for our partners, and once funds are disbursed, they are subject to close follow-up.
A long-term priority
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been the top priority in Norwegian development policy and development assistance.
Extensive destruction in Kyiv, 4 February 2026.
This remains unchanged as we mark four years since the full-scale invasion. The needs in Ukraine will continue to be significant, even if the war were to end. Not only homes, schools, hospitals, railways and roads must be rebuilt, people must be rebuilt too. Returning refugees and veterans must be reintegrated. Families must be reunited. Children must grow up in peace. This will take time.
Norway has everything to gain from supporting Ukraine. Our support to the Ukrainian people saves lives and alleviates suffering. It is also important for our own security.
Norwegian support helps sustain the resilience of Ukrainian society. Slava Ukraini!