Description: Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, launched her country’s EU presidency with enhanced focus on Ukraine’s war against Russia and resolving the EU’s tariff war with the US. She was accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy and EU Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen as they jointly announced continued support for Ukraine following yesterday’s announcement by the US of halting military aid to Ukraine. Frederiksen also stated that Denmark would prioritize Europe’s energy independency and resolving migration issues during the country’s six-months tenure as president of the Union. She invited Zelenskyy to station Ukrainian companies in Denmark in order to boost the warring country’s economy in desperate times of economic uncertainty and continued warfare.
Impact: Denmark has been one of Ukraine’s largest supporters within the EU and is aiming at spearheading the efforts within the Union to incentivize countries towards larger arms shipments and replace Ukraine’s dependence on US military supplies. The six – months rotational presidency is not expected to deliver substantial results due to the short timeline, however, with the war in Ukraine showing no signs of stopping, Europe’s military aid would be crucial and of existential value for the country with Denmark attempting to gather support from other EU members. Other issues such as energy, migration and the devising of differentiated strategic partnerships are also long – term goals which are necessary to be touched upon, as EU is facing growing economic pressure from the US tariffs and struggles to maintain energy independence.