Denmark announces additional $2.59B in military aid for Ukraine

By Ebad Ahmed

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AA) - Denmark will further boost its military aid to Ukraine by $2.59 billion over the course of this year and next in its ongoing conflict with Russia, said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday.

Frederiksen told Danish state media that her government aspires to contribute another 7.5 billion Danish kroner to the fund this year, and 10.4 billion kroner next year to assist Ukraine for its military needs.

Denmark in March set up a $1 billion fund for military, civilian and business aid to Ukraine in 2023. The Ukraine fund, established with the support of parliamentary parties, will give 5.4 billion kroner for military aid, 1.2 billion kroner toward civilian aid, and 0.4 billion kroner for business initiatives.

The Ukraine fund was endorsed by 159 of 179 members of parliament, and opposed by the parliamentary parties: Unity List and Alternatives.

"This major contribution will further strengthen the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the short and medium term," Zelenskiy said in a tweet. "Our strength is in unity!"

The announcement from the Danish premier has come ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the Nordic countries, including Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Frederiksen is widely regarded as one of the top favorites to assume the role of the new NATO chief following the end of Jens Stoltenberg's tenure, as Stoltenberg is anticipated to step down in September.