Last weekend, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark held an event in the temporary urban space TORV at Kontraktova Square in Kyiv. This location was chosen deliberately, as it was designed by the renowned Danish architect Mikael Colville-Andersen, who works in Ukraine. The event featured speeches from Ukrainian officials and diplomats, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis, who expressed gratitude to Poland for its presidency in the European Council during a challenging time for Ukraine, when the EU remained a cornerstone of its security and stability.

Perebyinis also thanked Danish Ambassador to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen for prioritizing the pursuit of a just peace in Ukraine and the future expansion of the EU, particularly via the tandem of Ukraine and Moldova. He expressed hope that under the Danish presidency, Ukraine would finalize its EU accession negotiations, as it has already done its homework. The Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine, Piotr Lukasiewicz, emphasized Poland's continued support for Ukraine's European aspirations.

Denmark will hold the presidency of the European Union Council in the second half of 2025, with member states taking turns every six months. During his speech, Ambassador Mikkelsen stressed the importance of building a strong EU that takes responsibility for its security and addresses contemporary challenges. He highlighted that one of the Danish presidency's priorities is a secure and competitive Europe.

"We believe that supporting Ukraine is an essential part of our security," the ambassador said in an interview, emphasizing the importance of backing Ukraine during this difficult time. Mikkelsen also shared his experiences regarding air alerts, noting that while it is stressful, Kyiv has a more effective air defense system than some other cities.

It is worth mentioning that Denmark is implementing several humanitarian projects in Ukraine, including the reconstruction of Mykolaiv region, where the city recently received new trolleybuses. The event at Kontraktova Square also featured the premiere of the "March of European Solidarity," composed by Danish musician Morten Jessen, which will soon be performed in various European cities.