Ukraine and Denmark are actively developing cooperation at various levels, paying significant attention to the regional dimension of partnership. The processes of recovery and reconstruction following the full-scale Russian invasion have become a powerful catalyst for deepening bilateral relations between the countries.
Sister city relationships between Ukrainian and Danish cities have become an important component of international cooperation. This tradition spans decades. Notably, sister city relations between Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the Danish city of Odense were established back in 1989. In 2023, the network of sister city ties expanded significantly: partnerships were established between Copenhagen and Kyiv, Mykolaiv and Aalborg, Lviv and Aarhus, Nikopol and Kolding, and between Voznesensk and Ikast. On January 29, 2025, a Declaration on cooperation and mutual relations was signed between the municipality of Vejle and the Pervomaisk city territorial community.
On March 29, 2022, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Danish Parliament with an initiative for Denmark to take patronage over Mykolaiv's reconstruction. On April 21, 2022, during Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen's visit to Kyiv, an agreement was reached that Denmark would lead the city's recovery process together with international partners.
On March 7, 2023, a Memorandum on establishing a partnership between Denmark, Mykolaiv, and Mykolaiv Oblast was concluded. A Steering Committee was established to coordinate cooperation, holding meetings 2-4 times per year.
Denmark identified eight priority areas of cooperation: infrastructure, good governance and transparency, shipping, transport, urban planning, small and medium business development, green transition, promotion of culture and youth engagement.
On January 26, 2024, to strengthen institutional support, a Danish embassy office was opened directly in Mykolaiv.
On September 12, 2025, during the visit of Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs to Kyiv, the largest Danish national program Ukraine Transition Programme (UTP) worth 375 million euros for 2025-2028 was launched. The program consolidates all Danish efforts in reconstruction, reforms, and democratization into a unified system with three strategic goals: strengthening societal resilience, supporting energy security and green transition, and promoting reforms and EU approximation. The program has a clear regional focus: 60% of funds allocated to Mykolaiv Oblast, 40% to other regions of Ukraine.
Beyond Mykolaiv Oblast, Denmark implements projects in Lviv, including 12 million euros allocated for modernization of wastewater treatment facilities with construction of Ukraine's first large-scale biogas plant, as well as 7 million euros in investments in Bank Lviv to support small and medium-sized businesses.
Since 2022, Denmark has allocated over 240 million euros for reconstruction of Mykolaiv Oblast through a series of aid packages, of which 26.8 million euros in 2025 went toward social infrastructure, energy, water supply, humanitarian demining, and transport. Assistance includes transfer of equipment for infrastructure repair, construction machinery supply, energy sector support, restoration of water supply and heating systems, demining projects, and educational initiatives.
The partnership between Ukraine and Denmark demonstrates consistent support for recovery and development processes, serving as an example of effective international cooperation and solidarity in overcoming the consequences of war.