On the 43^rd day of the war, on 7 April 2022, the Ukrainian Ambassador met with Mayor of Copenhagen responsible for employment and integration.

The Ambassador of Ukraine raised the issue of temporary shelter and protection for Ukrainian displaced persons arriving in the municipality of Copenhagen. First of all, it was about ensuring access to free medical care, mandatory vaccinations for Ukrainian children, support in the education of Ukrainian schoolchildren, as well as the admission of Ukrainian children to preschool educational institutions.

They also discussed the access of Ukrainian migrants to the Danish labour market. Mayor Jens-Kristian Lütken confirmed that Ukrainians can apply to employment centres immediately upon arrival in Denmark, without waiting for a temporary residence permit. Moreover, the place of work they receive can directly affect the decision of the Danish Immigration Service, which selects to which municipality it sends such a citizen and members of his/her family.

According to a representative of the local authorities of Copenhagen, it is planned to create a town for Ukrainian displaced persons in the north of the Amager island (Copenhagen Municipality). On the territory of that town, among other things, social facilities and children’s institutions will be located. According to preliminary estimates, up to 10-11 thousand Ukrainians fleeing the war may arrive in Copenhagen.

The idea of creating such “Ukrainian towns” throughout the country was supported by the Minister of Immigration and Integration Mattias Tesfaye, who makes the assumption that up to 100,000 Ukrainians could arrive in Denmark. Ukrainian towns will be able to somewhat reduce the burden on the Danish social security system, but this approach will not prevent the integration of Ukrainian displaced persons into Danish society.

Also, during the meeting with the Mayor of Copenhagen, the Ukrainian Ambassador referred to the issue of opening a Ukrainian cultural centre in Copenhagen and establishing sister city relations between Copenhagen and the capital of Ukraine.