The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that on May 2, Denmark became the first Nordic country to open its embassy in Ukraine.
In a statement released on the same day, the ministry said the embassy staff would be limited initially, but would gradually return to regular staff.
According to the ministry, embassy staff from Kyiv will handle political tasks related to close Danish-Ukrainian relations, including funds and assistance that the Danish government is ready to donate to Ukrainians. In addition, the embassy will be able to provide consular assistance to a limited extent.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod stressed that the move to reopen the doors of the Danish embassy in Ukraine is a very strong symbol of Danish support for the Ukrainian people.
“Our diplomats have worked tirelessly to develop Danish-Ukrainian relations and helped both Danes and Ukrainians in the difficult situation that arose after the Russian attack on the country. Now we are again present in the very center of the capital, and I am incredibly happy about this,” Minister Kofod added. .
According to him, the security situation in Ukraine is still very serious, and the Danish government continues to discourage its citizens from traveling to Ukraine.
In terms of humanitarian aid, Denmark has provided support to Ukraine in the amount of DKK 668 million. In addition, the ministry reports that Denmark has provided more than 1 billion DKK in military support.
Meanwhile, in the period 2014-2021, Denmark paid DKK 953 million to Ukraine as development assistance under the Neighborhood Programme.
However, this program was extended on January 27, 2022, when the government announced support for the Neighborhood Program from 2022 to 2026 for a total of $875 million, of which $550 million was allocated to Ukraine.
The goal of the Neighborhood Program is to strengthen the attachment of countries to the European community of values and, at the same time, to strengthen their stability, progress and sustainability.
On April 11, the Danish government announced that 15 people working at the Russian embassy in Copenhagen would be expelled from the country on suspicion of espionage and support for the war in Ukraine. At the same time, Minister Kofod during the meeting warned that these people would have only 14 days to leave Denmark.
Other countries that have also decided to return their embassy to Kyiv include Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic.