Ukraine gets the most attention

The largest support country

How can it be given that few Icelanders are in Ukraine?

« Ukraine is in fact our largest support country in terms of, for example, economic aid, defense assistance and development aid. This year’s total aid is approaching six billion. co -operation and co -operation between the Nordic countries and the Baltic States (NB8).

That means I need in my role as Iceland’s ambassador towards Ukraine to go to Ukraine regularly at a meeting, but I have been going twice a month twice a month to Ukraine. When I am not in Ukraine, I am in contact with a party in Ukraine, not least with the government, and especially with my colleagues in the Foreign Ministry and the NB8 Senders.

I am also in contact with my colleague here in Poland because quite a bit of what happens here in Poland is naturally related to what is happening in Ukraine as the proximity is great. So Ukraine is and inevitably becomes very cumbersome in my work. The Icelandic government has committed to Ukraine to provide a variety of support, political, economic, humanitarian and defense -related. « 

Success in several areas

What success is the cooperation between Iceland and Ukraine?

« Of course, Iceland is not a big player in the international field, but the partnership is successful in several areas. One of them is political. For Ukraine, it is important to have as many Allies. The more states, the better. There, without Iceland and the Baltic States, it would not be good. « 

But is the partnership itself to deliver real results in Ukraine?

« Yes, I would say that. I must first say that what matters most to Ukraine at the moment is to be able to show that they have solidarity and support from the outside. And that consensus and that support appears morally but also materially. Energy infrastructure that has a systematic attack by Russia as well as a variety of humanitarian aid. says Fridrik, referring to the Russian military.

« So something is being done right. However, it may be wondering what needs to be done. Obviously, it is not enough because the war continues. The invasion has not been stopped and the attacks have not been collapsed.

Ukrainians craving peace

How do you evaluate the development of issues in Ukraine itself, having often and often gone to Kiev?

« Of course, the Ukrainians have become very tired of this war, they are naturally peaceful and are willing to do various things to be able to achieve peace. At the same time, one does not find any submission. This war has followed a certain industrial revolution in Ukraine.

What the Ukrainians have done in a short time in defense is absolutely incredible. And when this war ends, the technological development ends after returning to this country in the future. In fact, a revolution in the field of security and defense can be discussed and in strategic and military technology. It will have a long -standing impact on how the West and others will approach the possible weapons of the future.

So, for my part, I say that the perseverance you get to know with the Ukrainians is very special and inspiring. At the same time, there is no denying that people have become tired and it obviously says. « 

Could call for sacrifices

You mention that the Ukrainians want peace. Have people begun to see land?

« No one hopes more than the Ukrainians that people are going to see land about the end of the war. For example, it was an interview with a man in Morgunbladid not long ago who runs a volunteer agency for artificial clips. would never agree or say publicly.

We are discussing here in the Icelandic Embassy Warsaw. What is the embassy’s task?

« They are multifaceted. There is a naturally crowded community of Polish in Iceland and it has a certain impact here. Here are now three airlines flying between countries, Play, Wizz Air and Lot, so tourism between the countries is increasing.

I think the Poles have become the fourth largest nation in Komum in Keflavik. Business business is also increasing. Icelandic companies are increasing their activities here in Poland and there are opportunities to increase imports from Poland to Iceland and from Iceland to Poland.

The cultural co-operation of the states is also growing, but the cooperation within the EEA funds has helped, among other things, but Poland is actually one of the largest partners.

The states also co-operate in security and defense, where the Poles are a little leading. Then, in collaboration with Poles in the international division, we have the Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and the Baltic Council, but the Poles take the lead in it from the Eistum on July 1, « says Fridrik, but the same day wants the Poles of leadership within the EU Council of Ministers.

« I know that the Poles look a little bit to use this forum within the Baltic Council.

The opportunities wait

Do you see, as you say, that Poland’s importance in trade and foreign trade in Iceland will increase in the coming years?

« I think there are many opportunities in any case, » says Fridrik.

He is now the only broadcaster and then has four local employees and two of them part -time. Finally, Ragnheiður Kolsöe will join the embassy in August, but she now works with the Standing Committee of Iceland in Geneva. This reinforcement is related, among other things, increased activity out of Ukraine. Then the embassy wants to be able to care for Romania and Bulgaria better.