The war in Ukraine was a recurring theme throughout this year’s Forsvarskonferansen. Instead of traditional gifts for speakers, the conference is donating NOK 10,000 to Fritt Ukraina.
“We are very impressed by the work Fritt Ukraina is doing and the direct impact they are able to achieve,” says Ebbe Deraas, head of Forsvarskonferansen Nordic Defence and Security Conference.
Ukraine was addressed from several perspectives throughout the conference. Among the speakers were Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik and Professor Katarzyna Zysk, who addressed developments and lessons from the war and their implications for European security.
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Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik were among the speakers. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri
Fritt Ukraina is a Norwegian organisation that supports Ukrainian military units directly with equipment and other resources. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the organisation has helped deliver vehicles, drones, communications equipment, protective equipment and other materiel to units in Ukraine.
The organisation works with Norwegian donors, businesses and volunteers to collect and prepare equipment for transport to Ukraine. Fritt Ukraina also cooperates with Ukrainian recipients to identify needs and ensure that donations are delivered directly to units that can put them to use.
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Ebbe Deraas, head of Forsvarskonferansen Nordic Defence and Security Conference. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri
Fritt Ukraina has so far contributed to hundreds of deliveries to Ukraine, including large numbers of vehicles and drones. The NOK 10,000 donation from Forsvarskonferansen will support this ongoing work.
Forsvarskonferansen brings together stakeholders from the defence and security sector, business, academia and the public sector. This year’s conference was held at Scandic Hell on 22–23 September, bringing together around 800 participants and more than 120 exhibitors.
By replacing speaker gifts with a donation, Forsvarskonferansen aims to turn its support for Ukraine into concrete action and help ensure that resources are put to use where they are most needed.