For 1,377 days, Rostyslav Yevdiukhin has been demonstrating against the Russian invasion of his homeland. On Wednesday, the protesters received support from the second highest level.

“Glory to Ukraine,” the protesters shout outside the Storting.

For two years and eight months, they have stood there faithfully at Eidsvolls Plass at 5 pm – a little earlier on weekends – in all kinds of weather.

With national anthems, flags, speeches and a minute of silence for today's fallen, they ensure that no one forgets that there is a war going on on Europe's eastern flank.

On Wednesday, they received a great visit in the drizzling rain from Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, who is on a visit to Norway.

– It is a great honor for us to receive a visit from someone with such a high position and great responsibility, says Rostyslav Yevdiukhin and continues:

– I think it's a sign that what we're doing here is very important for Ukraine too.

– Important that Norwegians care

Yevdiukhin leads the demonstrations for the Ukrainian Association in Norway, which protests every day against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

– It is important for us to explain to Norwegians what is happening, and why it is important that they care about things happening in Ukraine, says Yevdiukhin.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Jonas Gahr Støre met at Gardermoen. The visit to Norway is part of Zelenskyj's tour of Europe.

The government promised Zelensky that Norway would contribute an additional 1.5 billion kroner to secure electricity and heat for Ukraine.

While Zelenskyy traveled on to Sweden after a short stop at Gardermoen, the Foreign Minister remained in Oslo.

Visited hospital and school

Together with Zelensky's wife, Olena Zelenska, he is said to have visited a hospital that has received patients from Ukraine with war injuries.

Zelenska then visited Bentsebru School together with Health Minister Jan Christian Vestre, where, according to Dagbladet, she learned more about Mental Health's conversation services for young people.

Sybiha gave a speech in Ukrainian at Eidsvolls Plass, before taking the time to greet the 20–30 demonstrators who had turned up.

– He said he was sorry that there are now eight million Ukrainians who are refugees, and that we are welcome back. Then he thanked Ukrainians who stand at the Storting every single day, that we must not give up, but continue to stand together and not give Russia a victory, says Anna Yevdiukhina.

– Not standing here in vain

She is married to Yevdiukhin, and has also participated in the demonstrations since the war began. She is from Kyiv, has lived in Norway for 14 years, and now works as an interpreter.

– It was very solemn to have Sybiha here. He shows that it is not in vain that we are standing here, but that we give a lot to Ukraine and, by showing gratitude for our heroes who are fighting in the war, she says.

– It was a good encouragement for us who stand here every day. You can get a little discouraged, she says.