Zelensky holds meeting with Danish defense minister

Photo: Office of the President

Maria Ignatenko

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen, who arrived on a visit to Ukraine.

The Office of the President of Ukraine reported this.

The head of state thanked the Danish government headed by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the entire Danish society for their strong support from the first days of full-scale Russian aggression and the warm welcome of Ukrainians.

^{Photo: Office of the President}

"We appreciate it very much. Of course, our priority during this war is military support. Therefore, first of all, I thank you for already 12 aid packages that strengthen our army on the battlefield," he said.

Volodymyr Zelensky also separately noted Denmark's exemplary patronage of the restoration of Mykolaiv and essential support from official Copenhagen on Ukraine's path to the European Union.

"We are working to complete the implementation of all seven recommendations of the European Commission. And we will be delighted if we can start negotiations on joining the EU by the end of this year," said the President.

During the meeting, the primary attention was paid to strengthening the Ukrainian skies with modern fighters and new air defense systems. Cooperation within the aviation coalition and training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, which Denmark and other partners are preparing to transfer to Ukraine, were discussed.

^{Photo: Office of the President}

Separately, the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine by the Group of Seven at the Vilnius NATO Summit was noted, and readiness to start negotiations between Ukraine and the countries of Northern Europe regarding obtaining relevant security guarantees was expressed.

At the end of the meeting, the President of Ukraine presented the Minister of Defense of Denmark with the Order of Merit, 1st degree, and the State Secretary for Security Policy and Operations of the Ministry of Defense of Denmark, Kesper Hoy-Jensen, with the Order of Merit, 3rd degree. Danish officials were awarded for their significant personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.