Denmark is preparing the largest aid programme for the entire war: ~60% of more than DKK 5 billion will be allocated to Mykolaiv

The Kingdom of Denmark will launch a three-year aid programme for Ukraine, which will be the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion. Mykolaiv region may receive ~60% of the 5.1 billion Danish kroner (€680 million).

This was stated by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in a blitz interview with NikVesti in Copenhagen on 19 February.

The total budget of the programme will be DKK 5.1 billion and it will be distributed over the years 2025-2027. According to Rasmussen, about 60% of this amount will be allocated to Mykolaiv, and the rest to projects across Ukraine.

In particular, when asked by journalist NikVesti Oleh Dereniuha whether internal challenges related to the latest political issues in the world would reduce Denmark's attention to Ukraine and especially Mykolaiv, the Minister answered in the affirmative: 

«Now, after Vance's speech in Munich, after President Trump's statement on Greenland, Denmark is facing new challenges. Is there a risk that you will now focus on domestic issues and this could affect your support for Ukraine and my hometown of Mykolaiv?», asked the journalist.

«I'm actually on my way to the Foreign Affairs Committee to inform them about the next three years assistance program towards Ukraine, the civilian leg of the Ukraine fund of course most important all together. I think it's 5.1 billion Danish kroner for 2025, 2026 and 2027 divided of course in different activities, but I guess like 60% of this total spending will be targeted to Mykolaiv. So this is our intention for the next three years», the minister replied.

The programme will include civil society development, support for media freedom, economic investment and humanitarian initiatives.

While the final details of the programme are still being discussed in the Danish government, Rasmussen stressed that support for Ukraine will be provided without political pressure or hidden conditions.

«I don't think we should allow anyone to put pressure on Ukraine. I know that Ukraine and your president are open to cooperation on investment for mutual benefit. But this idea that «you owe us money and now we have to get access to your minerals» and that «you have to make a kind of «debt settlement» for what we have offered you historically is the wrong approach. You would hope that this is just an attempt to maximise your negotiating position. Therefore, what we support is, of course, true support for Ukraine without any big preconditions», said Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Denmark's cooperation with Mykolaiv

Back in March 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to the Danish Parliament, called on the country to take «patronage» over Mykolaiv after the end of the full-scale war.

Five months later, in August 2022, the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkevych, and the Danish Minister for International Development, Flemming Møller Mortensen, signed a memorandum of cooperation. It envisages joint work on developing reconstruction projects and attracting investors from different countries to rebuild Mykolaiv. The Danish Embassy also has an office in the city.

In January 2023, representatives of Denmark and Ukraine met in Mykolaiv to plan further reconstruction of the city.

In January 2024, the Kingdom of Denmark allocated $21 million to rebuild the Mykolaiv region. In May, $17.2 million was allocated to rebuild destroyed educational institutions in the region, and in June, €33.5 million was allocated to restore infrastructure and improve access to water and electricity.

In September 2024, Ukraine received new aid packages from Denmark, including €44 million for Mykolaiv region.

In total, about 60% of the aid that Denmark sends to Ukraine goes to Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv region, said Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the country has provided $118 million in aid to the region. He also stated his vision for the post-war reconstruction of Mykolaiv with pedestrian-friendly conditions and bicycle infrastructure.

While in Mykolaiv, the ambassador explained that Denmark will help Mykolaiv restore and modernise its shipbuilding facilities after the end of the full-scale war.

In particular, the country will rebuild the Mykola Arkas Lyceum while preserving its authentic appearance.

The ambassador also supported the idea of creating a Danish quarter or park in Mykolaiv, but this issue is still at the stage of an idea.

Denmark has also expressed interest in privatising the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant.

In turn, Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv Serhii Koreniev said that Denmark plans to help the city for the next 10 years.

And in October 2024, representatives of «Engineers Without Borders» from Denmark visited Mykolaiv to study the situation with the implementation of the Danish Recovery Programme projects.