Denmark considers Ukraine as a large and important partner in the Eastern European region. Ukraine considers Denmark as one of the key partners in the region of Northern Europe, an active supporter of our state in the European Union.
The interests of Ukraine and Denmark coincide in many areas. This 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 which takes place at the level of heads of state and government, speakers of parliaments and foreign ministers.
During the diplomatic relations, the President of Ukraine paid three visits to Denmark in 2007, 2017 and 2023. In addition, the President of Ukraine took part in the Ukraine-EU summit held in Copenhagen in 2002 during the Danish EU presidency. Next Denmark’s presidency of the Council of the EU will be during July-December 2025.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine paid official visits to Denmark in 1999, 2009 and 2023. Speakers of the Folketing visited Ukraine in 2005, 2015 and 2016.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine paid a visit to Denmark in 2018, during which the heads of government of both countries opened the second international Ukraine Reform Conference. The Prime Minister of Denmark visited Ukraine in 2016, 2022 and 2023, 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 paid private visits 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 also at the regional level. Since 1989, twinning relations are maintained between the Ukrainian capital and the Danish city of Odense. In 2023, twinning was established between Copenhagen and Kyiv, Mykolaiv and Aalborg, Lviv and Aarhus, Nikopol and Kolling, as well as between Voznesensk and Ikast.
Denmark has traditionally built ties with Ukraine in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy. It actively lobbied for the establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU and consistently supported the introduction of visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Ukraine. Subsequently, Denmark supported granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.
The main instrument of Danish support for the democratic development and reform of Ukraine currently remains the implementation of the Danish Neighbourhood Program (DANEP), aimed at financing projects in Ukraine to fight corruption, develop democracy and human rights, support civil society with special attention to youth, promote sustainable growth, green transition, energy independence, strengthening the labour market, etc.
Within the framework of DANEP, Denmark co-finances and leads the Anti-Corruption Initiative of the European Union in Ukraine (EUACI), which aims to strengthen the capacity of anti-corruption bodies of Ukraine, to monitor the progress of transformations on the part of civil society, and to implement anti-corruption measures in territorial communities.
Another important Danish project financed under DANEP was the activity of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Centre under the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine (2015-2021), which resulted in initiation of the Ukraine-Denmark Energy Partnership Program (UDEPP) for the period 2021-2026, aimed at implementing Danish energy solutions and technologies in the field of green energy, as well as transfer of Danish experience in modernization of district heating systems.
Ukraine and Denmark join forces in finding answers to global international challenges. They build bilateral cooperation that promotes mutual interests and try to jointly influence the international agenda. In particular, both countries are determined to contribute to the implementation of the global UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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 democratic values.
Denmark actively supports the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia introduced in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia’s actions to destabilize Ukraine. As an EU member, Denmark has closed its airspace to Russian aircraft, has joined all EU sanctions packages against Russia and is lobbying for new tougher restrictions. Practically all Danish big business curtailed operations in Russia or completely withdrew from that country after the start of the full-scale war. Denmark also stopped accepting applications from Russian citizens for tourist visas.