Zelensky seeks extra Norwegian defense aid and discusses new missile shield project
President Zelensky met Norway's defence minister and Kongsberg executives, asking for additional defence packages and progress on the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile system.
President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik, Kongsberg chief executive Eirik Lie and other NASAMS manufacturers, praising the air-defence systems that shield Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure from Russian missiles and drones. He requested that Norway provide additional defence assistance packages, potentially beginning next month. Zelensky also pointed to Norway's active role in the European FREYJA programme, which aims to create an anti-ballistic missile shield, and said early progress had been achieved on key components.
He identified areas needing faster development to enable testing by the end of the year. The discussion further covered plans to launch new satellite communications capabilities for Ukraine's armed forces, with a call for partners able to support the effort.
Why it matters
The request could boost Ukraine's air defence and accelerate a European missile-shield project amid ongoing conflict.
In this story
