Denmark plans to give nearly €2.4 billion more to Ukraine via a fund mainly intended to procure military equipment, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Monday.
"The war in Ukraine is in a very critical phase with a serious situation on the battlefield and Ukraine therefore needs all the support it can get," the head of government said in an interview with public broadcaster DR.
"Ukrainians urgently need our weapons and our support," said PM Mette Frederiksen, whose name is circulating to become NATO Secretary General in the coming months.
The 7 billion Danish kroner (around €950 million) already earmarked for 2023 in the fund set up in March will be topped up by a further 7.5 billion kroner, she said. She has also promised 10.4 billion kroner to be released for 2024 "because there is no indication that next year will be a year of peace."
Grateful to the @folketinget, the Danish government and the Danish people for the decision to increase the financing of the Ukraine Fund by $2.6 billion. This major contribution will further strengthen the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the short and medium…
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 29, 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude, tweeting that "this major contribution will further strengthen the Ukrainian army's combat capabilities in the short and medium term. Our strength is in our unity!"
Frederiksen stressed that the funds are being taken from the Danish budget. 70% of the money initially allocated has already been used up, the 45-year-old Social Democrat leader argued to explain the extra money.
Related News
- Russian drones shot down over Kyiv in eleventh attack this month
- Belgian government approves new Ukraine aid worth €92 million
Just like Belgium, Denmark announced in mid-May that it would play a major role in training Ukrainians to fly American F-16 fighter jets, as part of a European plan.
Frederiksen has also not ruled out donating Danish F-16s in the future. Denmark has around 40 of these aircraft, including around 30 in service, which will gradually be replaced by American F-35s over the next few years.
