Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, joining Nordic and Baltic leaders for talks on Ukraine’s air defense on the country’s flag day.
DR reports that Frederiksen landed in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as Ukraine marked its flag day. Journalists from DR and TV 2 travelled with the Danish delegation.
Speaking to the two broadcasters on arrival, Frederiksen described Russia’s main strategy in the war as one of attrition. According to her remarks, Moscow wants Ukraine, Europe and the West to give up, and populations to start questioning the length and the cost of the war.
In a press release, the Danish Prime Minister’s Office said the leaders would discuss defense industry cooperation and Ukraine’s need for strengthened air defense. Frederiksen stated that military support must continue and that Ukraine has an acute need for better air defense.
Per Statsministeriet, Frederiksen is in Kyiv with her Nordic and Baltic colleagues, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. The office said the agenda with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy covers continued military support, sanctions against Russia and weapons deliveries.
Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, spoke to the Norwegian news agency NTB on the way to Kyiv. As reported by DR, he said he does not believe Russia has any scruples about distinguishing between civilian and military targets.
Air defense plans
The Spanish agency Europapress writes that eight Nordic and Baltic leaders came to Kyiv to work with Zelenskyy on a joint air defense program. It notes Frederiksen’s reference to preparations for a ballistic missile coalition, aimed at building a modern European missile defense system.
Democrata reports that the talks take place within the Nordic-Baltic Eight format, known as NB8. According to the outlet, the leaders are focusing on a coordinated strategy against Russian missile attacks, including interception platforms and anti-drone capabilities.
DR notes that the visit follows statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Russian state television on Saturday. He said Ukraine had opened “Pandora’s box” with attacks on economic targets in Russia, and warned of retaliation against Ukraine’s most sensitive economic sectors.
Ukraine has increased its drone attacks on Russian economic infrastructure over the summer, according to DR. Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Berlingske reports the same agenda for the visit, citing the press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, and frames the trip as part of continued Danish support for Ukraine. Jyllands-Posten confirms the timing and the symbolic character of the flag day visit. Frederiksen is also taking part in a ceremony marking the day.
