Nordic leaders visit Kyiv for summits and Ukraine's Independence Day

Nordic leaders have arrived in Kyiv for a significant two-day visit, underscoring their commitment to Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb arrived by train on Sunday morning, a capital city that has endured substantial civilian casualties from Russian attacks this summer.

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Russia has no scruples when it comes to distinguishing between civilian and military targets. It is civilian infrastructure, housing, schools, and hospitals that are hit, which is a clear violation of international law.

The visit is timed to coincide with Ukraine's National Flag Day on Sunday and its Independence Day on Monday. It features several high-level summits, including a crucial meeting between Ukraine and the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) cooperation group, which includes Sweden. The leaders are participating in discussions aimed at bolstering support for Ukraine as it faces continued aggression.

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We find TNT in fish, or let's say, metabolized breakdown products of TNT.

During the journey, Prime Minister Støre condemned Russia's actions, stating, "Russia has no scruples when it comes to distinguishing between civilian and military targets. It is civilian infrastructure, housing, schools, and hospitals that are hit, which is a clear violation of international law." He also addressed Ukraine's need for air defense systems, noting that while many countries have provided from their existing stocks, supporting the production of new defense systems is also vital.

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Russia has had a primary strategy in this far too long war, and that is to use exhaustion as a weapon; Ukrainians should give up, Europe should give up, the West should give up, and our populations should start saying: 'Hasn't it gone on long enough, haven't we spent enough money on this?'

Prime Minister Frederiksen highlighted Russia's strategy of attrition in the prolonged conflict. "Russia has had a primary strategy in this far too long war, and that is to use exhaustion as a weapon; Ukrainians should give up, Europe should give up, the West should give up, and our populations should start saying: 'Hasn't it gone on long enough, haven't we spent enough money on this?'" she remarked. The presence of Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda further strengthens the Nordic-Baltic bloc's unified stance in support of Ukraine.

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35 years have passed since Estonia re-established its independence and Ukraine declared its own. Today we celebrate Ukraine's National Flag Day and meet at the NB8–Ukraine summit.