**Norway Boosts Ukraine’s Cyber Defenses with $200 Million Pledge and Membership in International Mechanism**
In a major show of support for Ukraine, Norway has announced its commitment to help protect the war-torn country from cyber threats. The Norwegian government has pledged $200 million towards restoring and transforming Ukraine’s energy sector, as well as committing funds to a separate initiative aimed at protecting infrastructure against Russian attacks.
This move comes as Norway becomes the 12th country to join the Tallinn Mechanism, an international cybersecurity framework established in December 2023 by Ukraine and its partner countries. The mechanism aims to coordinate civilian cyber capacities to strengthen Ukraine’s defense in cyberspace and long-term resilience.
“The Tallinn Mechanism is a key instrument of international support that helps Ukraine resist these attacks while building long-term digital resilience,” said Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in a statement. This sentiment was echoed by Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Digital Development, Anton Demyokhin, who praised Norway’s accession to the mechanism as “a powerful political gesture of support for Ukraine.”
**Russia’s Cyber War Against Ukraine Continues**
Since Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has unleashed thousands of cyberattacks against the country’s critical infrastructure, including power grids, telecom networks, and the financial system. These attacks are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defenses and undermine Western support for the embattled nation.
In addition to targeting Ukraine directly, Russia has also launched cyberattacks against Ukraine’s Western allies, aiming to disrupt military supplies and damage Western resolve. Norway’s membership in the Tallinn Mechanism and its cybersecurity commitment are seen as significant countermeasures to these threats.
**A Strong Signal of International Support**
Norway’s decision to join the Tallinn Mechanism and commit funds towards Ukraine’s cybersecurity is a strong signal of international support for the country. As a permanent member of the mechanism, Norway joins Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, the UK, and the US in coordinating efforts to counter cyber threats and strengthen global cybersecurity architecture.
This move comes on the heels of Norway’s previous commitment to Ukraine, with the Norwegian government announcing in July that it would commit $200 million towards restoring and transforming Ukraine’s energy sector. The country has also separately pledged 42 million euros ($49 million) to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, aimed at protecting infrastructure against Russian attacks and developing more sustainable energy networks.
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