How Norway’s new "Putin party" is trying to undermine pro-Ukrainian unity
On 17 May, Norway’s Constitution Day, anti-Ukrainian political ads flooded Oslo.
The campaign coincided with the Norwegian government’s decision to nearly triple its aid to Ukraine – from 35 to 85 billion kroner (approx. $7.8 billion).
The campaign was driven by a little-known political party, For Peace and Justice (Partiet Fred og rettferdighet, or FOR), founded only in January this year.
Read more about who is behind this party and who funds it in the article by Iryna Kutielieva, a European Pravda journalist: Norway under Russian propaganda attack: what we know about the new ‘Putin party’ in Northern Europe.
FOR’s controversial ad campaign quickly stirred backlash in Norway, with the party accused of spreading Kremlin propaganda.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre felt compelled to respond, saying he "fundamentally disagreed" with FOR’s stance.
"The Norwegian parliament stands united in support for Ukraine. Their fight is also about our values and has direct consequences for our security policy," he emphasised.
Public reaction was even stronger: although the anti-Ukrainian ads were set to run until 25 May, ordinary Norwegians began tearing them down, prompting FOR leader Marielle Leraand to decry the "vandalism" and announce an early end to the campaign.
Still, Leraand called the campaign a "100% success," claiming the controversy had boosted party membership by nearly 100 people a day.
"We are proud to say we had a successful campaign for peace and prosperity… We made front pages in all of Norway’s national newspapers," FOR boasted.
Before the poster incident, FOR was virtually unknown. Pollsters didn’t even include it in surveys.
Many of FOR’s members previously belonged to the far-left Rødt ("Red") party, founded in part by Norway’s Communist Party.
FOR’s ultra-left agenda overlaps heavily with Kremlin talking points, especially regarding Ukraine.
"Instead of spending 85 billion kroner on the war in Ukraine, we could offer free public transport with expanded services, free dental care, free kindergartens, school meals, extracurricular activities, and access to sports and cultural programs for children and youth," the party’s website claims.
Although FOR denies ties to Russia and even attempts mild criticism of Vladimir Putin, its financial backer, Atle Berge, was revealed on 21 May to have links to Moscow.
Berge, a Norwegian businessman, ran into trouble in Russia in 2016, but in 2023 was unexpectedly granted a new visa and work permit, after which he began openly praising the country.
FOR is unlikely to alter Norway’s foreign policy anytime soon. But undermining national unity on Ukraine could be within reach, especially with a stable funding source and messaging centered on "peace" and redirecting Ukraine aid toward domestic welfare.
With Norway taking Russian election interference seriously, the emergence of a party with Russian financial ties and pro-Kremlin rhetoric has raised real concerns in Oslo.