---
title: "Zelensky and Støre in Oslo: Patriot missiles, the FREYJA program, and winter preparations — key takeaways from the meeting"
description: "In Oslo, Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister Støre discussed the shortage of Patriot missiles, the joint FREYJA program, and winter preparations. Zelensky confirmed his intention to attend the farewell ceremony for King Harald V on September 9."
date: 2026-09-08T23:52:09.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-stoere-oslo-patriot-freyja-winter-2026
tags: [ukraine, norway, patriot-missiles, air-defense, freyja-program, zelensky, stere, energy, heating-season]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelensky and Støre in Oslo: Patriot missiles, the FREYJA program, and winter preparations — key takeaways from the meeting

![Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Stere shake hands at their Oslo meeting on Patriot missiles, the FREYJA program and winter preparation](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/08/zelensky-stere-oslo-patriot-freyja-zima-2026/zelensky-stere-oslo-patriot-freyja-zima-2026-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Zelensky and Støre discussed Ukraine's needs for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems and Norway's role in the PURL mechanism
- The sides agreed on the next steps for the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile program
- Preparations for the heating season and the possibility of renewed energy assistance from Norway were discussed
- Zelensky expressed condolences on the death of King Harald V and confirmed his presence at the ceremony on September 9
- The meeting took place against the backdrop of announcements of Gripen and SCALP deliveries and a drone agreement, as well as the arrest of a Russian vessel in Norway

A working meeting was held in Oslo between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the official website of the head of the Ukrainian state. The negotiations focused on three blocks of issues: strengthening air defense, developing the joint anti-ballistic missile program FREYJA, and preparing Ukraine's energy infrastructure for the upcoming heating season. The meeting took place against the backdrop of an intensifying debate over the shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, which Zelensky publicly highlighted in August 2026.

### Interceptor missiles and the PURL mechanism

First, the leaders discussed Ukraine's needs for interceptor missiles, primarily for Patriot air defense systems. Zelensky informed the Norwegian side about the current level of stockpiles and specific requirements. Ukraine is counting on Norway's support, including through the PURL (Presidential Ukraine Request List) mechanism, in which the kingdom is one of the leaders in terms of contribution volume. Context to understand the scale of the problem: as early as August 2026, Zelensky stated that for Ukraine to get through the winter it needed around 5% of the US stockpile of Patriot missiles, and CNN published footage of nearly empty launchers, after which the president acknowledged that at that time only 1% of the required number of interceptors remained.

### The FREYJA anti-ballistic missile program

A separate item on the agenda was further work on the FREYJA program — a joint project to develop anti-ballistic missile defense. The sides summarized preliminary results and agreed on the next steps for implementing the initiative. The program envisages the integration of Ukrainian and European technologies to create a multi-layered system for intercepting ballistic targets, making it one of the key elements of Ukraine's long-term defense strategy within the framework of European defense cooperation.

### Preparations for the heating season

The conversation also covered the practical preparation of Ukraine for winter. In the previous heating season, Norway had already provided significant energy assistance, and at the meeting the leaders discussed Ukraine's current needs and the kingdom's ability to support the country again. Given the damage to energy infrastructure as a result of Russian strikes, the issue of providing heat and electricity for millions of citizens remains one of the most vulnerable areas, where international support plays a critical role.

### Condolences on the death of King Harald V

At the beginning of the meeting, Zelensky expressed condolences on the death of King Harald V of Norway. The President of Ukraine noted that it was important for him to be present in person at the farewell ceremony, scheduled for September 9 — the day after the meeting with the prime minister. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine values the support of the Norwegian royal family and the entire Norwegian people, which has been maintained throughout the entire period of the conflict.

### Broad defense context and the arrest of a Russian vessel

The meeting in Oslo fits into a broader cycle of defense agreements announced by Ukraine's partners on the eve of Independence Day. In particular, Norway and a number of other countries pledged to supply Gripen fighter jets, SCALP cruise missiles, and signed a drone agreement providing for the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles. In parallel, a Russian vessel was arrested in Norway as part of the enforcement of an arbitral award on Naftogaz's claims worth $4.22 billion, demonstrating the use of Norwegian jurisdiction as a tool of economic pressure on Russia.

### Contradictory data

In open sources citing Zelensky's statements on the level of Patriot missile stockpiles, various figures are recorded that can be misleading on a superficial reading. According to Euronews (August 13, 2026), the president stated that Ukraine needs 5% of the US stockpile of Patriot missiles to get through the winter. At the same time, the portal 1prime.ru (August 18, 2026) and glavred.info report that Zelensky acknowledged: at that time only 1% of the required number of interceptors remained. These indicators describe different metrics: 5% is the volume of need relative to the US arsenal, while 1% is the actual remainder in stockpiles relative to the required minimum. Nevertheless, in public discourse both figures are often cited as an "estimate of stockpiles," creating an impression of inconsistency. At the meeting in Oslo, specific numerical parameters were not disclosed, and the sides limited themselves to a general formulation about "needs for interceptor missiles."

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister discuss interceptor missiles and the FREYJA program](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-i-prem-er-norvegiyi-obgovorili-1788908021.html) - Основной источник: встреча в Осло, обсуждение Patriot, FREYJA, отопительного сезона, соболезнования по королю Гаральду V, арест судна, оборонные анонсы.
- [Zelensky: Ukraine needs 5% of US Patriot stockpiles to get through the winter](https://ru.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/13/ukraine-needs-5-of-us-patriot) - Цифра 5% от американских запасов как потребность Украины. Дата публикации 13.08.2026.
- [CNN shows empty Patriots; Zelensky acknowledges only 1% of the required number of missiles remains](https://1prime.ru/20260818/ukraina-872471915.html) - Цифра 1% остатка от нужного числа перехватчиков. Кадры CNN. Дата 18.08.2026.
- ["There is 1%": Zelensky says how many Patriot missiles Ukraine needs to get through the winter](https://glavred.info/war/est-1-zelenskiy-skazal-skolko-ukraine-nuzhno-raket-patriot-chtoby-perezhit-zimu-10788020.html) - Подтверждение метрики 1% остатка. Согласуется со source 3.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What exactly did Zelensky and Støre discuss at the meeting in Oslo?
**A:** The sides discussed three main blocks: Ukraine's needs for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, further work on the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile program, and preparations for the heating season. Zelensky also expressed condolences on the death of King Harald V of Norway.

### Q: What is Norway's role in supporting Ukraine's air defense?
**A:** Norway is one of the leaders in contributions to the PURL (Presidential Ukraine Request List) mechanism, through which Ukraine receives defense assistance. The meeting discussed the specific need for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.

### Q: What is the FREYJA program?
**A:** FREYJA is a joint anti-ballistic missile program being worked on by Ukraine and its partners. At the meeting in Oslo, the sides summarized preliminary results and agreed on the next steps for implementing the project.

### Q: When will the farewell ceremony for King Harald V take place?
**A:** The farewell ceremony is scheduled for September 9, 2026. Zelensky confirmed that he intends to attend the event in person.

### Q: What defense agreements have been announced in addition to the meeting in Oslo?
**A:** On the eve of Independence Day, Ukraine's partners announced the supply of Gripen fighter jets, SCALP cruise missiles, and a drone agreement on the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles.