Crown Prince Haakon of Norway made an unannounced visit to Ukraine, marking the first time a member of the Norwegian royal family has traveled to the country since the Russian full-scale invasion began in 2022. His trip underscored Norway’s ongoing civilian and military support for Ukraine and its people.
Tribute to fallen soldiers in Mosjtsjun
Crown Prince Haakon began his visit by laying a wreath at the “Angels of Victory” (Seiersenglane) memorial in the village of Mosjtsjun, near Kyiv. The site commemorates at least 118 people who died defending the area from Russian forces in early 2022.
“It is deeply moving to stand here on the battlefield,” said the Prince. He emphasized that being physically present where such violence unfolded gave him a “deeper understanding” of the war’s brutality.
Meeting with Zelensky and wounded soldiers
In Kyiv, the crown prince met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyj at St. Sophia Cathedral. Zelenskyj thanked the people of Norway for their unwavering support. “You have stood with us from the beginning,” said the Ukrainian president.
Crown Prince Haakon praised Zelensky’s leadership, calling him “an impressive leader” who has shown “a very clear path” in response to what he termed “an illegal and ongoing invasion.”
The prince also visited a small hospital in Kyiv, where he met wounded Ukrainian soldiers, including Oleksandr, injured on the frontlines in Donetsk. “We are very impressed by the courage you and the Ukrainian people have shown,” the crown prince told him.
“I enlisted to defend Ukraine’s independence,” Oleksandr replied.
A symbol of enduring Norwegian support
Crown Prince Haakon arrived in Ukraine early Tuesday morning by overnight train from Poland, accompanied by Energy Minister Terje Aasland. They were received at the station by Norwegian ambassador Helene Sand Andresen and Ukrainian deputy foreign minister Oleksandr Mishchenko.
According to the Royal House of Norway (Kongehuset), the visit is a testament to “the strong and continued Norwegian support for the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people.”
As part of the visit, the prince and minister also reviewed Norwegian-funded projects under the Nansen Support Programme, which contributes to Ukraine’s defense industry, energy security, and humanitarian efforts. In 2025, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) increased funding for the programme from NOK 50 billion to NOK 85 billion (approx. EUR 4.2 billion to EUR 7.1 billion).
Historical significance of the visit
This marks the first official royal visit from Norway to Ukraine since Crown Princess Mette-Marit‘s trip in 2008. Haakon’s journey follows a handful of other royal visits, such as Countess Sophie, sister-in-law of King Charles of the United Kingdom, who visited Kyiv in the spring of 2024.
The crown prince previously met President Zelensky in Oslo during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to Norway in March 2025, and Zelenskyj was received in audience by King Harald and Queen Sonja in December 2023.
With this visit, Crown Prince Haakon joins a growing list of international figures reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine through personal diplomacy and symbolic gestures.
