Ukraine's national anthem begins with "The glory and freedom of Ukraine has not yet lost." These are words that underline our fight for Ukraine's freedom and democracy.

Both Norwegians and Ukrainians value family ties, respect for others and democracy. Our stories of the struggle for independence and self-determination are similar, and we defended the right to have our language and our own culture. Both Norway and Ukraine fought for their right to be independent. Unfortunately, the fight must continue in Ukraine to this day, but victory will come.

We are lucky to live in free and peaceful Norway. But we cannot take peace for granted. Conflicts and war can quickly change our lives and affect societies in many ways. We must be vigilant and take care of peace and democracy. We in Norway work for peace in Ukraine for a peaceful and democratic Ukraine and Europe. Peace in Europe is not possible without peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine's road to democracy and freedom has been a long and brutal struggle. For more than 100 years they have been fighting for freedom. When is the struggle for freedom more brutal than ever, and never before has Ukraine been more dependent on the civilized free world than now.

Ukraine was on the right track with positive development for the young democracy, in the fight against corruption and for a more open society. This was perhaps the biggest threat to neighboring Russia. This could threaten the autocracy and the few powerful people at the top. Thus, the inhumane solution for the dictatorship was to destroy Ukraine.

Victory over Nazism in World War II was not the result of the actions of a single country, but rather the joint actions of all the participants in the anti-Hitler coalition. Therefore, even the question of a "sovereign victory" by one country is absurd: the combination of each of these countries was important. At the same time, in this remark, Ukrainians have been unfairly belittled. Among other things, Norway can thank the Ukrainian troop leader Fedir Kompaniyets for freedom and peace in Norway. According to estimates by Ukrainian researchers, almost 6 million soldiers from Ukraine fought in the Red Army, thus making up about 23 percent of the total armed forces of the USSR.

We also have old and shared royal history between our countries. Then we have to go back to the vikings.  As many as 5 Norwegian viking kings married Ukrainian ladies. I am proud of my foremothers and fathers. I have been doing genealogical research for 40 years and can document: My great-grandmother is, among other things, Princess Ingeborg of Kyiv. She was the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kyiv and Kristina Ingesdatter of Sweden. Around 1117 she entered into marriage with Knut Lavard, Duke of Schleswig.

It is so good that Norway and the rest of Europe stand together with Ukraine in this fight. And this effort must be increased until the victory is a fact.

We stand with Ukraine to victory! Slava Ukraini! 

Слава України!

Per-Kaare Holdal, Support to the People of Ukraine