Denmark allocated more than $180 million for the reconstruction of Mykolaiv and the region

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Lekke Rasmussen in Mykolaiv (photo «Nikvesti»)

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Denmark has invested more than 180 million dollars in infrastructure projects in Mykolaiv Oblast.

This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba during a briefing in Mykolaiv, NikVesti reports.

As you know, the office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Ukraine was opened in Mykolaiv on January 26. On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country, Lars Lekke Rasmussen, arrived in the city together with Dmytro Kuleba.

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«The Danes are people not only of words, but also of deeds. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they have invested a little more than 180 million dollars in infrastructure projects of the Mykolaiv region. This is just the beginning, and my colleague (Lars Lekke Rasmussen, — note) stated this very clearly today,» said Dmytro Kuleba.

He also noted that it was decided to expand not only financial assistance, but also to stimulate business projects between Danish and Mykolaiv companies. One of the important aspects of the projects is their orientation towards the development of the economy with added value and the creation of new jobs.

«This is not only the restoration of infrastructure, but also the development of enterprises and factories in the Mykolayiv region. We do this together with Danish business with the support of both governments. This initiative is aimed at developing the economy and enriching local budgets,» Kuleba added.

The beginning of Denmark's cooperation with Mykolaiv

In March 2022, the president of Ukraine, speaking in front of the Danish parliament, called on the country to take «leadership» over Mykolaiv after the end of the full-scale war unleashed by Russia.

At the end of August last year, the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkevych, and the Minister of International Development of Denmark, Flemming Moller Mortensen, signed a memorandum of cooperation. The memorandum envisages joint work on the formation of reconstruction projects and the involvement of investors from various countries in the restoration of Mykolaiv.

In January 2023 , a meeting of representatives of Denmark and Ukraine took place in Mykolaiv regarding the planning of further restoration of the city.

On July 3, the Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark announced a new aid package for the Mykolaiv region.

In September, after a meeting with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the opening of the office of the Danish Embassy in Ukraine in Mykolaiv.

At the beginning of November, Denmark announced a new large-scale aid package for Ukraine for 40.2 million euros. The main emphasis in the aid package is on Mykolaiv and the Mykolaiv region.

Also, in November, the Office of Reconstruction and Development of the Mykolaiv Oblast and the Office of Reconstruction and Development of the City of Mykolaiv became operational.

Postwar reconstruction of Mykolaiv

Currently, it is known that about 60% of the aid that Denmark sends to Ukraine goes to Mykolaiv and the Mykolaiv region.

At the annual forum of the publishing house «Legal Practice» Business & Legal Infrastructure Forum, the ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine announced the vision of the post-war reconstruction of Mykolaiv with friendly conditions for pedestrians and bicycle infrastructure.

While in Mykolaiv, the ambassador explained that after the end of the full-scale war, Denmark would help Mykolaiv to restore and modernize its shipbuilding capacity.

In addition, Denmark will rebuild the Lyceum named after Mykola Arkas while preserving its authentic appearance. As of September 2023, Ukrainian architects presented Ole Egberg Mikkelsen with reconstruction options.

Another educational institution that the Danes will rebuild is Admiral Makarov National Shipbuilding University (NUK). The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen is sure that this will revive Mykolaiv as a «city of shipbuilding».

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