The President and His Men
A new corruption scandal is unfolding in Ukraine, involving Andriy Yermak, a close friend and senior aide to President Zelensky. Norway has provided over 142 billion NOK in support for the war in Ukraine, and next year it will contribute 85 billion NOK. In addition, Norway has settled 85,000 Ukrainian refugees at an estimated cost of 75 billion NOK.
November 30, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
The Norwegian state budget is scheduled to be adopted on Friday, and there is tension surrounding the outcome as the Labour Party government is in the minority and needs support — read more here. Now, however, we will look at an issue that has received significantly less attention in Norwegian media than abroad, but which should be discussed in connection with the budget.
Across both Europe and the United States, questions are being raised about the support given to Ukraine at a time when the country continues to be affected by corruption. It is almost incomprehensible that such enormous sums can flow from Western countries to Ukraine without donor nations exercising closer oversight of the President and his men. As a citizen, one may get the impression that governments have lost respect for the taxpayers, who are the real contributors. Not regarding support for Ukraine as such, but how that support is managed and where the money and aid actually end up.
In Norway’s case, two issues stand out. Corruption is the obvious one: why does the government not have better control over where the money ends up? And even more importantly, why is this not even a topic for the government? And where is the Office of the Auditor General? By comparison, single parents in Norway applying for social support are thoroughly scrutinized, both financially and personally, by the government before receiving aid. Voters should be able to expect at least the same level of accountability when financial support is given to purposes abroad.
The second highly relevant issue is that we are granting refugee status to able-bodied men from Ukraine at a time when Ukraine lacks soldiers. We should, of course, help genuine refugees, but how can we provide military support while contributing to Ukraine losing combat-ready men? Norwegian authorities grant refugee status to everyone who receives an exit permit from Ukraine, but the government should set conditions for the support it provides, rather than allowing Ukraine to issue exit permits to combat-ready men. This raises questions about responsible governance by the Norwegian government. Read more about the situation here.
The average cost per refugee, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity, is 890,000 NOK. In September alone, 928 young men between the ages of 18 and 22 arrived in Norway from Ukraine, amounting to more than 825 million NOK for that month alone. Note that Ukrainian refugees may have lower costs than the average; the report does not address this.
By July this year, 85,000 Ukrainian refugees had arrived in Norway, amounting to 75 billion NOK.
The Labour Party government follows EU policy regarding the war in Ukraine, despite Norway having entirely different conditions due to critical minerals found on Norwegian soil. The EU’s mineral shortage means it needs Ukraine, which is rich in minerals. The United States has an agreement for 50% of Ukraine’s minerals, and the EU urgently needs the other half. A large share of the resources is located in areas currently occupied by Russia. Minerals are the elephant in the room that no one openly addresses — read more about the mineral situation here.
The U.S. has secured mineral resources across the world and is no longer as dependent on Ukraine’s mineral resources. U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants an end to the war in Ukraine. The corruption scandal increases pressure, and the United States believes Ukraine must give up occupied territories — something the EU opposes. Read more about how the U.S. has strengthened its position here.
SOURCES
Integrerings- og mangfoldsdirektoratet (Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity)
Expenses related to refugeesGovernment of Norway
Nearly 85,000 Ukrainian refugees settled in NorwayGovernment of Norway
Support to Ukraine 2022–2025Government of Norway
Norway provides 85 billion NOK to Ukraine in 2026Politico
Ukraine is running out of menThe Guardian
Von der Leyen warns against giving occupied areas to Russia
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