President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky became the first foreign leader to address Danish parliamentarians from the rostrum of the Folketing (the Danish Parliament).
The Head of State thanked them for the invitation and said it was an honor to have this opportunity. The President emphasized that Denmark remains a reliable partner and that any country would dream of having such a neighbor.
“Thank you for giving us the confidence that, at any moment, Denmark stands with us, with Ukraine, with our people, with our children, with our soldiers – and that Denmark truly wants the best for Ukraine. There is something really special about this feeling – knowing that someone truly wishes you well,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Head of State noted that November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I, is a day when European countries remember those who lost their lives in that war.
“Russia has fallen for the same illusion as back then, more than a hundred years ago. The illusion that it could simply grab more land, a few more colonies, more power and influence – at the cost of Ukraine’s independence. And that was a terrible mistake. This war has also turned out to be much longer, much bloodier, and much harder to end than those who started it expected,” Volodymyr Zelensky noted.
According to the President, just as machine guns and tanks once made swords and cavalry almost obsolete, today drones, electronic warfare systems, and artificial intelligence have changed the nature of combat and given rise to a new type of warfare. The war in the Middle East has also shown how natural maritime routes can be turned into weapons, driving up energy prices and triggering a cost-of-living crisis.
“There are straits and seas in this world that matter not only to the people who live along their shores, but also to other nations – to hundreds of millions of people in different parts of the world. Russia’s blockade in the Black Sea caused suffering far beyond Ukraine – from Egypt to countries in South Asia,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia can try to do the same in the Baltic Sea, and another country can repeat what happened in the Strait of Hormuz along other vital shipping routes.
The Head of State also noted that the world is now concerned about whether the United States will bomb Iran. This can affect Ukrainians through a sharp rise in prices and shortages of weapons and missiles for Patriot systems, which protect Ukrainian cities and communities from Russian ballistic attacks.
“So today, everyone in the world can see just how connected everything is. In our world, nothing stays local – nothing – especially wars and injustice. And it is especially symbolic to say this today – on the anniversary of the end of the First World War. When a war drags on – and no way out is found – other countries and other people around the world may also find themselves with no way out. That is why every country must care. Every country should act,” the President emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that trilateral talks involving the Ukrainian, American, and Russian teams took place in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. The President stressed that Russia’s leader had expected to break Ukraine in just a few days or weeks. But now, in the fifth year of the war, the Russians are forced to sit at the same table with Ukrainian representatives and discuss on equal terms what comes next. The Head of State noted that Ukrainians had defended this right through their courage and the support of partners, including the Danish Model for financing the production of Ukrainian weapons.
“Today, this model is part of a system of hundreds of deals and agreements that help us get drones, artillery, and other weapons to the front. But back then – in 2024 – Denmark opened the door for us to work with many other partners around the world. When Denmark trusts Ukraine and works with us – others begin to trust us and work with us too. That was a historic step – the Danish Model. And I am truly grateful for it,” Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized.
The President also thanked Denmark for the assistance packages provided to Ukraine, which were supported by all political forces in the Danish Parliament.
“By helping Ukraine, you are investing in yourselves – in your own ability to defend Denmark, in the air, on land, and at sea. All our experience, everything we have learned to do, everything we have learned about defending ourselves – all of this can become part of your security too. And now we have a chance to take one more truly historic step. We’ve already started working on it with our own anti-ballistic defense program, FREYJA,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that few countries in the world are capable of producing anti-ballistic missiles, and Europe must become truly independent in this area and have its own FREYJA missile defense system.
“Eleven countries have already joined the program. And every country can bring its own components, its own experience, and its own investment. And together, we will get shared protection. I’m glad we have already prepared everything to open the FREYJA Office right here, in Copenhagen, together with our Norwegian friends. I urge you to support this program,” the President said.
The Head of State noted that once Europe has enough of its own anti-ballistic defense capabilities to no longer depend on anyone else, Russia will have to take Europe much more seriously. Ballistic missiles remain the most dangerous weapons in Russia’s arsenal. And Russia will be almost toothless once we have enough interceptors to shoot down its ballistic missiles. This will also significantly strengthen Europe’s position within NATO.
In addition, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, building a new security architecture is essential. The President noted that Russia claims it needs security guarantees, even though no one has attacked Russia for many decades. In reality, the Russians want to interfere freely in the affairs of other states, use force whenever they please, and make any support for freedom inside Russia impossible.
“Because Putin wants to keep his personal power forever and pass on his imperialist and, in many ways, simply fascist views to the next generations. And when decisions are being made about what the next decades will look like here in our part of the world – including in talks between America and Russia – Europe must be at the table. This is our firm position in Ukraine,” the Head of State said.
The President emphasized that Europe is strong, united, and determined enough to defend its own interests.
“And whenever Europe does not believe in its own strength, others try to impose their decisions on us. But we know how to prevent this,” Volodymyr Zelensky added.
The Head of State also met with Speaker of the Danish Folketing Henrik Frandsen and the leaders of all 12 political parties. The President thanked them for all their support. Just yesterday, the Parliament unanimously voted in favor of the 32nd defense assistance package for Ukraine, worth €645 million.
