Zelenskyy's visit to Norway and transfer of NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine - Wednesday brief

Zelenskyy arrives in Oslo for unannounced visit

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Oslo, the capital of Norway, on Wednesday, December 13, for an unannounced visit, the press service of the Norwegian government reports.

The President will also attend the Nordic Summit, which will take place today in Oslo. Among the main topics is joint work in defense and security.

Norway to transfer additional NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine

Norway will provide Ukraine with additional NASAMS air defense systems worth NOK 335 million ($30 million), according to the Norwegian government.

Some systems are being shipped from the country's warehouses to ensure fast delivery to Ukraine, while others will be ordered from manufacturers.

Zelenskyy calls on U.S. to provide Ukraine with longer-range ATACMS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to provide Ukrainian forces with ATACMS missiles of greater range, according to Politico.

During a meeting with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Republican Michael Johnson, Zelenskyy raised the issue of the need for supplying Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with an extended operational radius.

Spain insists on initiating talks for Ukraine's EU accession

Spain supports Ukraine's European integration. Madrid insists on starting negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union, according to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Sanchez hopes to start negotiations between the European Union and Ukraine before the end of Spain's presidency of the EU Council, which expires on December 31.

'It's not about crisis': Zelenskyy responds to calls for defending on frontline

The situation on the front in Ukraine is not in crisis, but both offensive and defensive operations slow down during the winter period, so it is important to restrain the occupiers, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference with participants of the Summit of Northern European countries.

The head of the state responded to an article in The New York Times suggesting that Ukraine should transition to defense instead of advancing.

Denmark announces €1 billion aid package for Ukraine

The government of Denmark has decided to provide Ukraine with a new support package totaling 1 billion euros, announces the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.

The head of the Danish government has announced a new aid package for Ukraine today, December 13, at a press conference in Oslo.

The official has mentioned that on Thursday, December 14, she will present the new support package to her parliament.

Berlin hosts coalition conference to strengthen Ukraine's air defense

On December 13, a coalition conference took place in Berlin, intending to bolster air defense support in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Defense of Germany.

Approximately 70 participants from 22 countries, along with representatives from the EU and NATO, attended. The Ministry of Defense has stated that the coalition aims to coordinate the development of Ukraine's air defense architecture, which will be interoperable with NATO.

Likelihood of EU leaders approving €50B for Ukraine: Budget Commissioner's forecast

The leaders of the European Union countries are likely to approve a review of the budget until 2027, which includes 50 billion euros for Ukraine, states the EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn in an interview with Reuters.

According to him, Hungary must agree to the decision regarding the budget review as it concerns its own interests.

He notes that the European Commission has a Plan B in case Hungary does veto the decision on the 50 billion euros for Ukraine, but he does not wish to disclose it to avoid providing an exit.