Norway's leader is the latest to visit Ukraine as Trump weighs peace options

KYIV, Ukraine, August 27 ------ Norway’s multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraine’s fight to defeat Russia’s invasion will stretch into next year, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said during a visit to Kyiv, as uncertainty surrounds U.S.-led efforts to secure a peace settlement.

Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine is “defending a critical principle on the European level” by refusing to accept Russia’s seizure of territory. A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the U.S.-led peace drive, as President Donald Trump weighs how to proceed with no sign of a breakthrough.

U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg attended Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv on Sunday. Zelensky said he would meet with Kellogg later Monday and hold talks by the end of the week with other senior U.S. officials. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Zelensky, pledging 2 billion Canadian dollars in aid, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Germany’s vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss “how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process.”

A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky. But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit won’t happen any time soon. Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled. Analysts say Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments’ commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion.

Norway on Sunday pledged about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) toward air defense systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar, Store said.

Source: mb.com.ph