– Ukraine is grateful to everyone who stands up for the country, said Ukraine’s ambassador to Norway, Jatsiuk Viatsjeslav, during the celebration.

– But today we must say it as it is: what is most necessary in Ukraine now is military support. The Ukrainians are the toughest and bravest soldiers on earth, but they are fighting against an overwhelming force, Viatsjeslav said.

Hope financial support has only just started

He pointed to a number of countries that are now supplying weapons to Ukraine. Among the countries that have done so are Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the United States and Estonia.

– The financial support from Norway is great, but it must only be seen as the first step, Viatsjeslav said.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) said on Friday during a press conference about the war that it is not relevant for Norway to send weapons, in line with Norwegian law.

A Storting resolution from 1959 states that Norway does not allow the export of defense equipment to areas that are at war or threatened by war.

Strong lover

A number of top Norwegian politicians, among them former Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide (H), were among the appellants during the selection.

– There is no way to justify what is happening now. Nevertheless, there are voices, also in Norway, who have said that one must first and foremost understand Putin. This is not the time to understand, but to condemn, Søreide said.

The leader of the Conservative Party’s youth party, Ola Svenneby, spoke earlier in February to change the weapons legislation that prevents Norway from sending weapons to Ukraine.

When asked by NTB whether Søreide believes that it is wise to look at the legislation, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs answers that it will take a long time to change this.

– There are very strict rules in Norway against sending weapons abroad, and the government must make its assessments on how to help reach the acute phase, says Søreide.

Will give 1 billion to weapons

Frps Bård Hoksrud told Dagbladet during the celebration that they are among the parties that will now discuss the weapons legislation.

Liberal leader Guri Melby also attended the celebration. She warns that the party will propose to allocate 1 billion kroner to Ukraine which they can use to buy weapons.

– The arms export legislation means that it is not easy for Norway to contribute weapons, as Denmark and Sweden do. Then we have to think in other directions, says Melby.

After the marking in front of the Storting, the protesters went by train to the Russian embassy. According to the Oslo police district, significantly more people then joined the demonstration, but it went smoothly.

(© NTB)