UWC President Paul Grod meets Denmark’s Defense Minister

Copenhagen – Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) President Paul Grod met with Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen as part of an advocacy trip to Northern Europe. 

Grod on Nov. 18 thanked Denmark for its substantial support to Ukraine during the full-scale Russian invasion, highlighting contributions such as F-16 fighter jets, artillery, and 21 military aid packages. He also urged Denmark to continue its military assistance and to facilitate the use of frozen Russian assets – equivalent to $330 billion worldwide – for procuring weapons for Ukraine.  

In response, Poulsen reaffirmed Denmark’s unwavering support for Ukraine. 

He emphasized Denmark’s purchase of 18 Bohdana artillery systems from Ukraine and noted the country’s efforts to encourage other Scandinavian nations to adopt Denmark’s approach of investing in Ukraine’s defense industry. He also confirmed his country’s plans to allocate additional funds to purchase more weapons for Ukraine by the end of the year.

“We will do everything in our power to support Ukraine,” the defense minister said.

The discussion also covered broader topics, including international support for Ukraine, its integration into the European Union and NATO, and other pressing matters.

Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen, head of the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark, raised concerns about extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees beyond 2025.

Paul Grod arrived in Denmark on Nov. 17, beginning his visit by meeting with the Ukrainian community in Copenhagen. He also participated in a peace march, marking 1,000 days since Russia’s full-scale aggression. The event honored the memory of fallen Ukrainians and called for sustained international support for Ukraine.

During his visit, UWC President Paul Grod also met with leaders of Ukrainian community organizations under the Association of Ukrainians in Denmark. Discussions focused on strengthening Ukrainian communities abroad, supporting Ukraine through diaspora efforts, countering Russian propaganda, and advancing global advocacy for Ukraine’s interests.

Denmark is the first leg of Grod’s Northern European advocacy tour, which will include visits to Sweden, Norway, and Finland. The trip, scheduled to run until Nov. 25, aims to bolster support for Ukraine, address challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees, and highlight key humanitarian and historical issues.

High-level meetings throughout the tour will focus on securing continued support for Ukraine, safeguarding its territorial integrity, advancing NATO membership, recognizing the Holodomor of 1932–1933 as a genocide, repatriating prisoners of war and deported children, utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and protecting displaced Ukrainians.