Zelenskyy: Norwegian air defence systems NASAMS “very important”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed strong gratitude for Norway’s support, particularly its provision of NASAMS air‑defence systems and energy assistance, in an interview with NRK News.

Zelenskyy emphasised the impact of Norwegian‑supplied systems on Ukraine’s defence capabilities, Caliber.Az reports.

Norwegian NASAMS systems helped us a lot. I will not share the exact number of NASAMS we have, but it is more than ten and we are still getting them. We have also received missiles for NASAMS made by Norway. However, even domestic Norwegian stocks weren’t enough. And then Norway… pic.twitter.com/kV6i2hlVU0

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 28, 2026

“Norwegian NASAMS systems helped us a lot. I will not share the exact number of NASAMS we have, but it is more than ten and we are still getting them. We have also received missiles for NASAMS made by Norway. However, even domestic Norwegian stocks weren’t enough. And then Norway worked with other countries at the political level to provide us with some additional missiles. This was very important," he said. 

He also noted Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to expand its air‑defence capacity through cooperation on joint production and IRIS‑T systems, describing a chain reaction of allied support.

“And then it was like a rising wave: when one country stepped up, other real allies, like Norway, followed. That was very good," he added. 

Zelenskyy underscored Norway’s assistance beyond military hardware, pointing to energy support. He informed that this winter, Norway helped Ukraine with gas which teh country needed after Russian attacks on energy sector, including gas infrastructure.

“And the people of Norway support these decisions. All parties in Parliament support them as well. Thank you. All countries have their own internal politics, but the unity in the Norwegian Parliament on Ukraine is crucial and we appreciate it," Zelenskyy noted. 

Zelenskyy also stressed Ukraine’s work on drones and acknowledged Norway’s role in international support mechanisms, stating: “All of these things, as well as the work on drones that we started and the fact that Norway is second‑largest contributor to PURL, are deeply valued in Ukraine.”

By Sabina Mammadli