During the visit to Mykolaiv and Odesa, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and members of the Danish government saw with their own eyes what Ukraine needs to ensure full security of the southern regions of our country. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following the meeting with the Danish delegation in Odesa.
"I am grateful that we are meeting today not in the capital, Kyiv, but in Mykolaiv and Odesa to see all the details of this brazen war of Russia," the Head of State emphasized.
He said that in the first half of this day, the Prime Minister and the entire Danish delegation visited the heroic city of Mykolaiv, which the Russian army is systematically trying to destroy.
"Thanks to the active actions of our warriors, we managed to drive the occupiers away from the city's outskirts, and this reduced the number of shelling occasions. I thank Denmark, in particular, for its defense support, which helps us to provide our Ukrainian heroes on the battlefield with the necessary equipment, weapons and support," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, during the talks, the parties discussed in detail Ukraine's needs to ensure the security of the southern regions.
"Still, a lot remains to be done to guarantee complete, fundamental security for our Mykolaiv and to liberate the south of our country from Russian terrorists. Today, our partners have seen with their own eyes what exactly we need," the President said.
The parties also focused on the needs in restoring infrastructure and social facilities damaged by Russian strikes.
"Hundreds of different facilities in Mykolaiv and the region have been destroyed to the ground. These include residential buildings, social and economic infrastructure, and transportation facilities. Infrastructure for the supply of drinking water - we visited one of these facilities, supported by Denmark, today. Russia has been conducting indiscriminate attacks on everything that is the basis of our people's lives. I am grateful to Denmark for the joint work we have begun to restore this basis. Today we have discussed what is already being done and what needs to be done. And not in the future, but in the near future," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that Denmark had become one of the first partner countries to accept the offer of our state to take patronage over the reconstruction of Ukraine, particularly the city of Mykolaiv.
"I am grateful to the Danish coalition government for creating a separate fund to help our country. Reconstruction should become one of the key directions of the fund's work. I believe that together we will manage to bring peace and development back to Mykolaiv and the entire region," the Head of State emphasized.
He also thanked Denmark for joining the Ukrainian initiative Grain from Ukraine.
"It is very important for this initiative, as well as food exports from Odesa, from our ports, from Ukraine as a whole, not only to be maintained, but also to be expanded," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President emphasized the need to expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative to the ports of the Mykolaiv region and remove any obstacles that restrict the movement of relevant vessels.
"I hope for the support of Denmark in this issue," the Head of State said.
For her part, Mette Frederiksen called the Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure brutal and the ones that will never be forgotten.
The Prime Minister said that Denmark was joining the Grain from Ukraine initiative and would continue to support Ukraine's reconstruction.
"I was really inspired by our trip to Mykolaiv today. I saw these incredible people. Our work will be not only about reconstruction, but also about investment - we want to create jobs and rebuild the economy together with Danish businesses. I think that many Danish companies have a lot to share, especially in the area of energy, environmental solutions, and energy efficiency. I know that you are also interested in this. Solutions that can now support Ukraine's reconstruction process and also help you on your way to the EU," Mette Frederiksen emphasized.
