Denmark–Ukraine relations

Bilateral relations
Danish-Ukrainian relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and Ukraine

Denmark
Ukraine

Denmark–Ukraine relations are the current and historical relations between Denmark and Ukraine. Denmark recognized Ukraine on 31 December 1991, and diplomatic relations were established on 12 February 1992.[1]

Denmark supports Ukraine in line with the Eastern Partnership and has contributed to reforming various Ukrainian sectors. Denmark has been described as a key partner for Ukraine.[1] Denmark is a member of the European Union, which Ukraine applied for in 2022. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

Denmark has since the Russian invasion of Ukraine aided the Armed Forces of Ukraine with around 1 billion euros.[2]

Early ties

In 1918[3] or 1919,[4] Denmark recognized the Ukrainian People's Republic.[5]

From 1919 - 1991, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Denmark on the other hand is member of the Western Bloc, being a founding member of NATO. The two countries had no official ties during this period and diplomacy was conducted with the Soviet Union in the Danish embassy in Moscow.

Following the independence of Ukraine on 24 August 1991, Denmark recognized the latter on 31 December 1991. Formal diplomatic relations was established months later, on 12 February 1992.

Modern ties

During the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed Ukraine in the European Union but said that Ukraine needed more reforms before they can join the European Union.[6] In 2004, to strengthen ties with Ukraine, Denmark opened an embassy in Ukraine.[7]

Denmark supported the EU membership candidate status for Ukraine in 2022.[8]

High level visits

Danish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen visited Ukraine in September 1998, during the visit, both countries signed an intergovernmental protocol on financial cooperation.[9] In March 2007, President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko visited Denmark, to hold meetings with Danish officials about signing energy, agricultural and food cooperation agreements.[10] In May 2011, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov invited Crown Prince Frederik to Ukraine.[11]

On 30 January 2023 Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen visited Ukraine and met President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Mykolaiv, where they discussed the operational situation on the Southern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[12]

Anders Samuelsen and Volodymyr Groysman in Kyiv, 2018

Military cooperation

Ukrainian Air Force Il-76MD at Thule Air Base during "Northern Falcon"

Operation "Northern Falcon" (2009)

In March 2009, in Thule Air Base, American, Danish and Ukrainian air forces transported about 140,000 gallons of fuel and 17 tons of supplies from Thule Air Base to Station Nord, which is 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) away.[13] Ukraine assisted with an Ilyushin Il-76.[14]

Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (2014–2023)

Denmark began taking part in the NATO-led capacity building of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2014 after the war in Donbas. Denmark has taken part in the British-led training mission Operation Interflex after 2015 with a staff office, training teams, translators. Moreover, soldiers from the Royal Danish Navy and Royal Danish Army have trained Ukrainian soldiers as well.[15]

In January 2022, Denmark supported Ukraine with 164 million DKK to support the Ukrainian defense as the Russo-Ukrainian crisis was continuing.[16]

In January 2023, the Danish Ministry of Defence announced that they would further support Ukraine by donating 19 French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzers.[17] Though as a further delay to Denmark's own military build-up.[18]

In May 2023, the Danish Parliament supported the donation of 1.7 billion DKK in military equipment to support Ukraine's offensive operations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including armoured recovery vehicles, engineering vehicles, demining equipment, ammunition and armoured vehicle-launched bridges.[19]

Resident diplomatic missions

  • Embassy of Denmark in Kyiv
    Embassy of Denmark in Kyiv
  • Embassy of Ukraine in Copenhagen
    Embassy of Ukraine in Copenhagen

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Ukraine and Denmark". Archived from the original on 2021-08-14. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Danish support for Ukraine". Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ Dmytro Doroshenko (1973). History of Ukraine, 1917-1923 (2). Indiana University: Hetman Movement Leadership. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2011. as early as July, 1918, the Danish government, through its consul in Kyjiv, Mr. Carlsen, initiated the establishment of de facto relations between Denmark and Ukraine.
  4. ^ "Political relations: History of Bilateral relations". Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  5. ^ Talmon, Stefan (1998). Recognition of Governments in International Law. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-826573-5.
  6. ^ "Danish prime minister: More reforms needed before Ukraine can join European Union". Kyivpost. 4 July 2002. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Denmark to strengthen ties with Ukraine, open embassy in Kiev". Newslibrary / DR. 28 December 2004. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Данія готова підтримати надання Україні статусу кандидата на вступ до ЄС". www.eurointegration.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  9. ^ "Danish foreign minister in Ukraine to open 100m-dollar credit line". NewsLibrary.com / Ukrainian Television First Programme. 9 September 1998. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Yushchenko starts official visit to Denmark". forUm. 15 March 2007. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Kronprins Frederik tager til Ukraine". Helsingør Dagblad (via Ritzau) (in Danish). 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Zelenskiy visits southern Ukraine, meets Danish prime minister". Reuters. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Ukrainians, Danes, Americans resupply remote outpost". Air Force Space Command. 27 March 2009. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  14. ^ "Danish-Ukrainian Air Foce Cooperation". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  15. ^ "Forsvarets opgaveløsning i Ukraine" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Danmark lancerer ny millionstøtte til Ukraine" (in Danish). 16 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Zelensky visits southern Ukraine with Danish prime minister Frederiksen". South China Morning Post. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Denmark to send artillery to Ukraine, delaying own build-up". Reuters. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Denmark sends its largest military aid package for the Ukrainian offensive". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
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