During his official visit to the Kingdom of Denmark, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the Acting Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.
The parties discussed issues of defence support for Ukraine, including the protection of Ukrainian skies, the formation of an air coalition and the provision of modern fighter aircraft such as the F-16.
First of all, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to Denmark for its leadership in providing modern weapons to Ukraine, for training and treatment of Ukrainian military: “We are grateful that Denmark is providing Ukraine with the assistance and weapons that our Armed Forces desperately need.”
“Our current needs include missile defence and air defence systems, artillery, ammunition, anti-ship missiles, heavy military equipment, tanks and fighter aircraft,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, who also noted Ukraine’s need for all types of UAVs and the protection of the Ukrainian sea.
“Ukraine is grateful for the military assistance you have provided under the fund to support Ukraine. Danish weapons have proven themselves well on the battlefield,” he said, also expressing gratitude for Denmark’s assistance in demining Ukraine: “Mine clearance is an important part of Ukraine’s history that we all need to go through together, as a very large territory of Ukraine is contaminated with mines today.”
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said that he had handed over a letter to the acting Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, with a list of much-needed defence assistance for Ukraine.
For his part, the acting Danish Minister of Defence expressed his support for the Ukrainian people and stressed that Denmark had decided a couple of weeks ago to provide Ukraine with the largest amount of aid since the war and was now assessing further needs.
“Denmark is ready for long-term support of Ukraine,” said Troels Lund Poulsen.
In conclusion, Ruslan Stefanchuk handed Troels Lund Poulsen a flag from the 80th separate air assault brigade as a sign of gratitude to Denmark from Ukrainian soldiers.