Denmark provides Ukraine with new military aid using special scheme
Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Poulsen (Photo: Getty Images)
Copenhagen will allocate hundreds of millions of euros for direct purchases of weapons from the Ukrainian defense industry, according to the Danish Ministry of Defense.
In 2025, Denmark plans to distribute around 830 million euros to buy Ukrainian-made defense products as part of the European Peace Facility.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said this decision recognizes Denmark’s efforts in supporting Ukraine.
"In light of the geopolitical situation, it is important to show that we stand with Ukraine. With the ‘Danish Model’ Denmark has taken the lead in the international efforts to strengthen defence production in Ukraine. It is truly exceptional that we now have the opportunity to enhance this effort even further with additional funding from the EU. It is a recognition of Denmark's efforts on this matter that the EU has decided to channel even more funds through us this year," he stated.
On May 21, 2024, EU foreign ministers decided to use excess profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. This includes financing military aid to Ukraine from individual member states in 2025. Planned supplies include ammunition, air defense systems, and other weapons produced by Ukrainian enterprises.
The Danish Ministry of Defense noted that procurement through the Ukrainian defense industry will help strengthen domestic production, ensure competitive prices, and allow for rapid adaptation to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Moreover, Ukrainian troops will receive equipment they are already familiar with and can maintain independently.
“Last year, when I visited Ukraine to meet with several defence industry companies, I was convinced of the prospects for supporting Ukraine directly through procurements in the country’s own defence industry. This way, we ensure that the Ukrainians urgent military needs can be produced and delivered locally. This provides obvious logistical advantages while also contributing to building Ukraine's defence industry for the future. We are now able to do this on an even larger scale,” Poulsen emphasized.
Danish model
In 2024, Denmark became the first country to finance purchases from the Ukrainian defense industry through Ukraine’s state mechanisms. Under the so-called Danish model, Copenhagen allocated about 400 million euros obtained from the excess profits of frozen Russian assets and acted as the EU’s implementing partner. The total amount of financing disbursed in 2024 amounted to approximately 4.4 billion Danish kroner.
In 2025, Denmark plans to more than double the volume of financing under this model. Additionally, the country has already allocated 3 billion Danish kroner from the Ukraine Aid Fund for purchases in the Ukrainian defense industry for the period from 2025 to 2027. Denmark will also serve as the implementing partner for several other countries, including Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Canada.
The Danish Ministry of Defense also announced that it signed an agreement with the European Commission granting Denmark the role of executor for distributing a significant portion of the unforeseen profits from frozen Russian assets in 2025.
Denmark's aid to Ukraine
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Denmark is preparing a new, 26th package of military aid.
In April, the Danish government announced a new defense package for Ukraine worth 6.7 billion Danish kroner (about 995 million dollars). The funds will be distributed over the period 2025–2027. The package includes air defense systems, artillery weapons, and financial support for the Ukrainian Air Force.
Additionally, in March, the Danish Ministry of Defense announced plans to invest about 40 million euros in a special innovation fund. Its goal is to strengthen the technological capabilities of the Ukrainian army in the context of modern warfare.
