At a Kyiv summit, Denmark’s prime minister linked the continent’s future to Ukraine and urged allies to rethink how they defend themselves.
The security of European countries today directly depends on supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said this in Kyiv during a meeting of the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic countries in the NB8 format.
It begins and ends with Ukraine, we know that. That is why we have supported you in every possible way for the past four or five years. And now, I think everyone in Europe must understand – and this also applies to the United States – that the only way we can protect our own countries and our own citizens right now is by standing together with Ukraine.
– Mette Frederiksen
Frederiksen on European Security and Support for Ukraine
According to the head of the Danish government, Russia’s full-scale invasion has radically changed Europe’s approach to its own security. She emphasized that European states must strengthen their defense capabilities and rearm.
Mette Frederiksen also supported Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union and NATO. She stressed the importance of the combat experience of Ukrainian service members, the development of defense production, the size of the Defense Forces, and the resilience of Ukrainian society.
So, the way we think about European security has changed completely. That is why you need membership in the European Union. Everyone on this stage supports it. And you need to be a member of NATO, because all the experience you have gained on the battlefield, your production capabilities, the size of your army, and your willingness to die for what you believe in – these are things we must learn from you.
– Mette Frederiksen
Air Defense, Patriots, and Countering Hybrid Threats
The participants discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air and missile defense. Frederiksen supported providing more Patriot systems, while noting that European countries must retain sufficient capabilities to defend their own territories.
The Danish prime minister emphasized that Russia seeks to influence Europe’s future and change its borders. According to her, European states are already experiencing manifestations of hybrid warfare.
The leaders of Ukraine, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Norway took part in the “Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic Eight Countries” summit. Sweden’s prime minister joined the talks online.