Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Ukraine and met with Volodomyr Zelensky

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Minister for Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir met with President of Ukraine Volodomyr Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday. The situation in Ukraine, Iceland’s support and the upcoming Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, where Iceland currently holds presidency, were among the topics of the meeting. The Prime Minister announced that Iceland’s support to Ukraine will amount to 2.25 billion ISK in 2023. Last year’s support was 2.2 billion ISK.

At the invitation of President Zelensky the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs travelled to Ukraine and arrived early yesterday morning. The purpose of the visit was to show support for the Ukrainian people and to make preparations for the Summit, where the war in Ukraine will be a focal point the potential of establishing a register of damages resulting from the Russian aggression will be examined as well as ways to hold Russian authorities accountable.

The Ministers visited Borodianka and Bucha where they had the chance to witness first hand the sign of war crimes committed there. The visit was followed by a short ceremony where the Prime Minister laid flowers at a wall of remembrance in Kyiv. After that they met with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyal, Deputy Prime Minister Olhu Stefanishyna, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Energy, German Galuschenko.

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir:

„Iceland’s Presidency in the Council of Europe comes at an unusual point in time in Europe, where a war is being waged. The Council of Europe is a core institution of the continent where respect for international law, democracy and human rights are upheld. This task requires a humble approach as it is both huge and important. Our visit to Kiyv is a part of our duty as the holders of presidency and at the same time we want to show the Ukrainian people our sincere unity and support”.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir:

„This visit leaves us with deep respect for the courage that the Ukrainian nation has shown since the start of the Russian invasion. To get a chance to witness first hand the cruelty that this society has suffered is heart breaking but at the same time the optimism and confidence of the Ukrainian people is uniquely inspiring. Iceland can lend its support to the people of Ukraine both by setting an example on the international arena and with the continuation of direct economic support to Ukraine.”

Joint statement by Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky