Historical ties between Ukraine and Norway reach the Viking era and Kievan Rus. Norwegian sagas tell many stories of the times, in particular, about Elizabeth, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, who married the Norwegian prince, and later King of Norway (1045-1066) Harald Hardraade.
Norway recognized the independence of Ukraine on December 24, 1991. Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Norway were established on February 5, 1992. Consequently, the Embassy of Norway in Ukraine was opened in Kyiv in 1992, and in October 2001 a diplomatic representation of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Norway was established in Oslo, which was in September 2004 transformed into the Embassy of Ukraine.
Political dialogue with Norway develops at different levels. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations mutual visits and meetings at high political level has proved a mutual desire to build strong partner relations. Visit of Foreign Minister T. Stoltenberg to Ukraine (February 1992), a visit of Foreign Minister of Ukraine H. Udovenko to Norway (March 1996), a visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway T.Jagland to Ukraine (November 2000), a visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine K. Gryshchenko to Norway(June 2004), the visit of Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European Integration O. Rybachuk to Norway (31 May - 2 June 2005), an official visit of Foreign Minister of Norway Johas G. Støre to Ukraine (30-31 May 2006), and a number of bilateral contacts at high level within international fora are to be mentioned.
At the parliamentary level, the first visit to Ukraine of the Storting delegation was headed by its President, Mrs. K. Grondal (May 1999), and the Delegation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, headed by its Chairman V. Lytvyn paid a visit to Norway in February 2003. Since that time strong cooperation contacts between the parliaments has considerably grown.
Political dialogue is also facilitated through regular consultations between foreign ministries of both countries and cooperation within international organizations - UN, UNESCO, Council of Europe, OSCE, WTO and others.
Ukrainian and Norwegian parties have a mutual interest in further development of democratic and market reforms in Ukraine, using the potential of both countries in mutually beneficial trade economic cooperation, combating international terrorism and piracy and strengthening the UN role in ensuring international security, partnership and cooperation with the EU. Norway supports Ukraine's aspirations for European integration.
A number of new initiatives and mechanisms for cooperation have been established within the framework of bilateral relations, in particular, the Ukrainian-Norwegian intergovernmental commission on cooperation in trade, business and economy, Ukrainian-Norwegian dialogue on European integration, initiative to increase energy efficiency, cooperation programs in the medical field, initiative "Ukraine-Norway: united by history".
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war, Norway has provided to Ukraine practical support in all key areas of cooperation, including: supply of high-precision weapons, economic and financial support, humanitarian aid, and implementation of the sanctions policy. It is worth noting that Norway adopts all EU sanctions against Russia, although it is not a member of the EU.
The official visit of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine R. Stefanchuk to the Kingdom of Norway (May 15-18, 2023) boosted the development of political relations between the two countries. As a result of the visit, on May 16, 2023 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Storting of the Kingdom of Norway.
Норвегія демонструє тверду політичну підтримку суверенітету та територіальної цілісності України як на двосторонньому рівні, так і в багатосторонніх форматах (ООН, НАТО, РЄ, ОБСЄ), рішуче засуджує агресію рф проти України з першого дня військового вторгнення. 01.06.2023 – голови відповідних Парламентських Комітетів із закордонних справ, зокрема таких країн як Норвегія, Бельгія, Канада, Чеська Республіка, Данія, Естонія, Франція, Ісландія, Латвія, Литва, Польща, Україна, Болгарія, Німеччина, Італія, Албанія, Люксембург, Румунія, Велика Британія, США підтримали заяву щодо повного виконання рішень Бухарестського саміту НАТО щодо членства України в НАТО.