Denmark Embarks on New Support and Euro-Integration Initiatives for Ukraine During EU Council Presidency
On the first day of its eighth term as President of the European Union Council, officially beginning on July 1st, Denmark made significant declarations of support for Ukraine’s European Union accession ambitions. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s European integration efforts and pledged to do everything possible to assist Ukraine in realizing its European aspirations. During a meeting in the picturesque city of Århus with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the event marked the start of a new phase of cooperation. In her opening speech, Frederiksen emphasized: “Ukraine should be part of the EU. It aligns with our mutual interests and is vital for the security of not only Denmark but the entire continent.” She added that Denmark, during its presidency, would focus on supporting Ukraine’s journey toward EU membership. Talking about security measures, representatives from the EU and Zelensky discussed enhancing military support to Ukraine, increasing cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry, and implementing new sanctions against Russia. Frederiksen stated: “We need to boost military aid to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and simultaneously intensify economic pressure on Russia through sanctions,” underscoring these steps as essential for maintaining stability and security in Europe. Furthermore, during his visit to Copenhagen, President Zelensky announced a bilateral agreement with the American company Swift Beat to jointly produce drones, including interceptors. Zelensky highlighted that hundreds of thousands of drones will be produced this year and their manufacturing scaled up next year, significantly bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities and its ability to face modern challenges.