2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Denmark. Denmark recognized Ukraine on 31 December 1991, and relations between the two countries were established on 12 February 1992.
Due to the war started by Russia against Ukraine, all festive events celebrating the anniversary of diplomatic relations have been carried forward.
Relationship between our states is open and constructive. Denmark regards Ukraine as a large and important partner in the Eastern European region. Ukraine regards Denmark as one of the key partners in the Nordic region, an active supporter of our state in the European Union.
Denmark is building ties with Ukraine in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy. It actively lobbied for the establishment of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU and has consistently supported the introduction of a visa-free regime for Ukrainian nationals to the Schengen area. Denmark also supported granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.
Ukraine is committed to full integration into the internal market of the EU in parallel with the enlargement negotiations, opening of the “four freedoms” of the European Union for Ukraine, in particular the free movement of goods, services, people and capital or payments, which will help attract investment to the country, its economic recovery and overcoming the negative economic consequences of the war.
The process of rapprochement with the EU is accompanied by the implementation of recommendations of the European Commission, which is a prerequisite for starting EU enlargement negotiations, as well as by a number of important reforms in Ukraine supported by Denmark.
The main instrument of Danish support for the democratic development and reform of Ukraine remains the implementation of the Danish Neighbourhood Program (DANEP), aimed at financing projects in Ukraine to combat corruption, develop democracy and human rights, support civil society with a special focus on youth, promotion of sustainable growth, green transition, energy independence, strengthening the labour market, etc.
Within DANEP, Denmark co-finances and leads the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI) which aims to strengthen the capacity of newly created anti-corruption bodies and to promote the greater progress of reforms monitoring by the Verkhovna Rada, civil society and mass media.
Another important Danish project financed within the framework of DANEP was the activity of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Centre under the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine (2015-2021). It resulted in the adoption of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Partnership Program for 2021-2026 (UDEPP), aimed at the implementation of Danish energy solutions and technologies in the field of green energy, as well as the transfer of Danish experience in the modernization of district heating systems.
Denmark demonstrates strong political support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine both at the bilateral level and in multilateral formats. Denmark strongly condemns Russia′s ongoing brutal, unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine, which it considers a gross violation of international law, an attack on the international rule-based order and on democratic values.
As a member of the EU, Denmark has closed its airspace to Russian aircrafts, has joined all EU packages of sanctions against Russia, and is lobbying for new enhanced restrictive measures. Practically all Danish big business closed operations with Russia or completely withdrew from this country after the beginning of the aggression. Also, Denmark cancelled the reception of documents from citizens of Russia to apply for a tourist visa.
Denmark is unique in that it is the only Scandinavian country that is a member of the EU and a member of NATO. In 2009-2019, the Air Force of Ukraine performed tasks for Denmark in Northern Greenland. Danish military advisers share valuable experience with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in order to reform them in line with NATO standards. In addition, they support the activities of Canadian and British military training missions in Ukraine. Denmark is a contributor to four NATO Trust Funds in Ukraine.
The Peace and Stabilization Program, funded by Denmark, continues to be implemented in Ukraine, which is aimed, inter alia, at improving the management and efficiency of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as at achieving operational interoperability with NATO.
The Danish Demining Group (DRC-DDG) trains sappers for the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, who carry out humanitarian demining operations.
After the start of the active phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war on 24 February 2022, Denmark actively participated in the supply of weapons to Ukraine. On 11 August 2022, the Donor Conference of Northern European Allies of Ukraine at the level of defence ministers was held in Copenhagen, which has already accumulated more than $1.55 billion to strengthen Ukraine′s defence capabilities.
In addition, with the beginning of the active phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Denmark actively provides comprehensive aid to Ukraine, including humanitarian aid and macro-financial support, which is currently estimated at 668 million Danish kroner ($91.6 million).
Ukraine and Denmark seek to have well-developed fruitful trade relations. In recent years, they have significantly increased their volume of trade. There are more than 300 Danish companies operating in Ukraine in various sectors of the economy. The interest of Danish industry is constantly growing in starting a business in Ukraine, whose economy has grown in recent years against the background of the development of the agricultural sector, IT as well as the inflow of direct investments into Ukraine.
Denmark’s main investment capital is invested in Ukrainian agriculture, forestry and fisheries, processing industry, wholesale and retail trade and repair, professional, scientific and technical activities.
At the end of 2021, an agreement was reached on the joint construction by Danish and Ukrainian companies of multi-purpose vessels at Ukrainian shipyards. In April 2022, Denmark took patronage over the post-war reconstruction of the city of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, together with other foreign partners.
The interests of Ukraine and Denmark coincide in many areas. These primarily concerns strengthening civil society, protecting human rights, creating conditions for attracting investment, improving energy efficiency, maintaining environmental balance, ensuring cyber resilience, etc.
This promotes an active political dialogue that takes place mostly at the level of foreign ministers.
During the diplomatic relations, the President of Ukraine paid two visits to Denmark in 2007 and 2017. In addition, the President of Ukraine took part in the Ukraine-EU summit held in Copenhagen in 2002 during the Danish EU presidency. Denmark’s next EU presidency is July-December 2025.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada paid official visits to Denmark in 1999 and 2009. Speakers of the Folketing visited Ukraine in 2005, 2015 and 2016. The Prime Minister of Ukraine paid a visit to Denmark in 2018 to take part in the 2nd International Ukraine Reform Conference. The Prime Minister of Denmark visited Ukraine in 2016 and 2022, and the Deputy Prime Minister – in 2008.
Members of the Danish Royal Family also visited Ukraine during numerous visits. In particular, HRH The Crown Prince Frederick paid a private visit to Ukraine in 2003 and 2012, HRH Prince Joachim in 1992. Prince Joachim’s official visit to Ukraine took place in 2006, and Crown Prince Frederick’s in 2011.
Ukraine and Denmark are aspiring to establish strong ties not only at a high level, but also at the level of ordinary people. Twinning relations are maintained between the Ukrainian capital and the Danish city of Odense, which began in 1989. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Lviv and Aarhus was signed, the issue of establishing a partnership at the level of the capitals of the two states is being worked out.
The establishment of the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House in Kyiv has opened new prospects for the development of people-to-people contacts between our countries at the level of young people. Numerous youth organizations, initiative groups and individual young activists from both countries unite around important initiatives and support each other.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Copenhagen was opened in 1995. The Danish Embassy in Kyiv has been operating in Kyiv since 1992 (it was closed for a short period in 2002-2005). Both diplomatic missions play an important role in maintaining and strengthening ties between Ukraine and Denmark.