Norwegians, eager to show support for Ukraine last spring, are now under pressure to show greater leniency and solidarity with Ukraine and the rest of Europe. . The government did not answer all calls. Marked Ukrainian Six months of the independence day of their homeland and the war Russia started.
“Our National Day should be a day of joy,” Natalia Raven Christensen of the Ukrainian Society of Norway told the newspaper. Doug Savisen Just before a new demo was planned for Wednesday. “There is not much to celebrate now, but there is still much to celebrate. But it didn’t.”
Ravn-Christensen claims that 90% of all Ukrainians still believe Ukraine will win the war started by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. She thinks this year’s National Day, which commemorates independence from the former Soviet Union, is more important than ever, but it’s been half a year since Putin’s aggression sent shockwaves through continental Europe and even Norway. worried that a certain amount of war fatigue had set in.
Demonstrations against Putin’s war are still held daily, However, the number of participants decreased significantly. War does not dominate the news these days either. Some military experts have also come to believe that the war will be a protracted one with no diplomatic solution in sight, but many Norwegians believe that enjoying the first post-Corona summer or that the war is an energy They seemed more enamored by how they moved prices.Price increases, especially electricity bills.
Christine Skale Olgeret, a professor and media researcher at Oslo Metropolitan University, said the public often lost interest in even the main issues, and the barrage of media coverage in the immediate aftermath of the February 24 invasion of Russia markedly declined. said he did. The actual war in Ukraine and what it means for democracy is hidden behind all the news about the fuel, electricity and food price hikes it caused.
“When the media writes less stories, it affects the masses,” Orgeret told the newspaper Aftenposten“That affects politicians.” But she said, “It is very important not to forget this war. After the occupation of Crimea and Donbass, we cannot afford to enter a stage like pre-war Ukraine. Karen Helen Urtbeit Moe, a professor at the University of Oslo, claimed in the newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) More recently, Norwegians “think of themselves first and foremost, not their European neighbors.”
Meanwhile, Norway continues to make significant profits Regarding the high price of gas exports, Norwegian exporters either lower gas prices to Europe or at least stash a significant portion of their profits in some sort of “solidarity fund” aimed at helping both Ukraine and Europe. However, the details of how such a fund would work are vague, as is the response of the Norwegian government. The Norwegian Minister of State for Oil and Energy has rejected the demand for a gas price cap, arguing on NRK’s national radio programme. political quarter On Wednesday morning, the “most important thing” Norway can do now is simply to be a “stable and reliable” gas producer and supplier and “Europe’s safe partner”.
But concerns about how Norwegians initially expressed sympathy and support for Ukraine were replaced by concerns about domestic wallet problems, including rising prices for fuel, food and especially electricity. While most Norwegians can afford price hikes, politicians seeking voter support are pushing far more to meet calls for state compensation for businesses as well as households. spend a lot of energy on
As a result, Norwegians have shown themselves to be spoiled and even greedy, such as worrying about the monthly electricity bills of their large homes and villas, rather than the threat Russia posed to European democracy. leading to accusations. Some officials, including both NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Jonas Gar Store, warned Europeans and Norwegians that they would have to pay higher prices for commodities and services, while Ukrainians I tried to remind him that he was paying with his life.
“There is a war going on in Europe and we have to contribute as much as we can.” Doug Savisen this week too. Norwegians are regularly urged not to fall into the trap set by the Russian leader who wants to divide and conquer the Western Alliance.
Norway also scores fairly well in a recent survey of how countries rank in direct financial aid to Ukraine (see chart), and on Wednesday, Ukraine scored more than Russia. Norway and the UK are working together again to send new drones to the Ukrainian army and train them to be used in surveillance operations. increase. Instead of sending Ukrainian soldiers into dangerous areas to assess Russian military movements, drones could be used.
Norwegian local Ukrainian organization Ravn-Christensen wants such military support, especially heavier weapons. Doug Savisen“Talking alone doesn’t help. Norwegian politicians need to take more action and make more sacrifices.” She said Norway “can afford and have the opportunity to provide more weapons.” Politicians must stand up for their values, help the weak, and stand for democracy.”
It is also important not to forget Ravn-Christensen and other Ukrainians. “Unfortunately, people have become accustomed to the fact that war is going on,” she admits. She is confident that Ukraine’s Independence Day this year will be more meaningful than ever.
“Now we know how important independence is,” she said Doug Savisen“And we have to fight for it.”
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
