DANISH MINISTER FOR RESILIENCE AND PREPAREDNESS IN UKRAINE
Minister Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen visited Kyiv with DEMA and SAMSIK to exchange expertise and strengthen Danish-Ukrainian cooperation on civil protection.
During her visit on 2 of November, Minister Bech-Nielsen met with Ukrainian authorities to discuss cooperation on civil protection, emergency preparedness and the challenges facing Ukraine’s emergency response services during the war.
The Minister also held talks with Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Oksana Ferchuk, focusing on digital resilience and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Denmark and Ukraine.
A central part of the visit was dedicated to Denmark’s cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). At SESU headquarters, the Danish delegation was welcomed by First Deputy Head of SESU Vitalii Myroniuk, who hosted discussions on emergency operations, shelters, telecommunications and early warning systems. The Head of SESU, Andrii Danyk, also joined the Danish delegation during other parts of the programme, which included a visit to a fire station where the Minister was presented with emergency response equipment donated by Denmark. Mr. Danyk awarded the Minister with the Badge of Honour (“Znak Poshany”) of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in recognition of her fruitful cooperation with SESU under martial law, comprehensive support, and significant contribution to strengthening the equipment and technical capabilities of Ukraine’s fire and rescue units.
The visit further included a meeting with the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), headed by Oleksandr Potii, focusing on cybersecurity, hybrid threats, interagency coordination and the protection of critical infrastructure during wartime. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Administration of the SSSCIP and the Danish Resilience Agency was officially signed strengthening the cooperation between the two agencies. Opportunities for closer Danish-Ukrainian cooperation in strengthening cybersecurity and protecting essential services was discussed.
Minister Bech-Nielsen also visited sites in Kyiv impacted by Russian attacks, including the area around Lukyanivska Square, witnessing firsthand the destruction caused by the war and the challenges faced by Ukrainian emergency responders.
The Minister paid tribute to Ukrainian emergency responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty at the Monument to Fallen SESU Hero Rescuers and honoured those who have fallen defending Ukraine at Maidan Nezalezhnosti.
Denmark remains committed to standing with Ukraine and strengthening bilateral cooperation on emergency preparedness, civil protection, cybersecurity and resilience.
