COPENHAGEN, November 12, 2026 — Royal Denmark Magazine
By Peng Zhongmin, Royal Denmark Correspondent Folketinget.
FOTO:Zhong Min Peng©RP
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, November 11, 2026 — King Frederik X of Denmark officially received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and hosted a commemorative ceremony in Copenhagen. President Zelenskyy also addressed the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), highlighting the importance of European unity and continued support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Denmark on November 11, 2026. During the visit, King Frederik X formally welcomed President Zelenskyy at the Frederik VIII Palace at Amalienborg. The Crown Prince and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also attended the reception.
The programme included a commemorative ceremony at Kastellet, meetings with representatives of Denmark’s defence sector and defence industry, and a visit to the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), where President Zelenskyy delivered an important address.
The visit further demonstrated Denmark’s firm commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and European security.
- King Frederik X Welcomes President Zelenskyy as Commemorative Ceremony Takes Place at Kastellet
On November 11, King Frederik X received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Frederik VIII Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were also present.
Following the official reception, the Danish King, the Crown Prince, the Ukrainian President and the Danish Prime Minister travelled together to Kastellet to attend a commemorative ceremony.
During the ceremony, President Zelenskyy laid a wreath at the National Monument for Denmark’s International Contribution. The monument bears the inscription:
“A TIME, A PLACE, A HUMAN BEING.”
It commemorates individuals who have contributed to international peace and security.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, King Frederik X delivered an address at the residence of the Commandant of Kastellet, welcoming the Ukrainian President and his delegation to Denmark.
King Frederik X said that he and the Crown Prince were greatly honoured to welcome their Ukrainian friends to Copenhagen and Kastellet.
Built in the 1660s, Kastellet served as an important part of Copenhagen’s defensive system for nearly 150 years. It remains one of the best-preserved historical military fortifications in Northern Europe.
The King noted that modern technology is rapidly transforming the nature of warfare and could fundamentally change military defence requirements within just a few years, or even months. Countries must therefore accelerate their adaptation to address an increasingly complex and changing security environment.
Addressing the situation in Ukraine, the King noted that Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine had continued for nearly five years, causing an immense humanitarian catastrophe for the Ukrainian people.
He expressed his deepest sympathy to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, while paying tribute to the determination of the Ukrainian people and armed forces, who continue to defend their country’s sovereignty and independence under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.
The King emphasised that the war in Ukraine clearly demonstrates how rapidly modern defence requirements are evolving.
The development of drones and counter-drone systems provides a particularly striking example. New military technologies continuously drive the development of countermeasures, while these countermeasures, in turn, require further adjustments to defence systems and capabilities.
He stressed that all parties involved in researching, designing, manufacturing and deploying these technologies must strengthen cooperation and establish closer partnerships.
The King also highlighted the participation of Danish defence industry companies in the event. These companies play important roles in intelligence, technology and military equipment, making valuable contributions to strengthening Denmark’s national defence capabilities.
He thanked the representatives of Danish companies for their active participation and their willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Ukraine.
Referring to Ukraine’s battlefield experience, King Frederik X said that the knowledge gained by Ukraine had come at an enormous human cost. Nevertheless, the experience Ukraine is sharing with Europe is helping to strengthen security across the continent.
The King expressed his admiration for the resilience and determination demonstrated by the Ukrainian people. He also thanked Ukraine for sharing its expertise and cooperating with Denmark and other European partners in the field of security.
In concluding his remarks, King Frederik X observed that Kastellet had originally been built to address the security threats of its time. Today, Europe must similarly prepare itself for the challenges of a new era.
He emphasised that Denmark and Ukraine must work together to help secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and build a safer future for Denmark, Ukraine and the whole of Europe.
Following the ceremony, representatives of the Danish Armed Forces and Danish defence industry presented a range of technological solutions in the fields of defence and security. The presentations covered military equipment, technological development and enhanced defence capabilities.
- President Zelenskyy Addresses Danish Parliament, Emphasising European Unity and Support for Ukraine
On the same day, President Zelenskyy visited the Danish Parliament (Folketinget), where he was welcomed by Speaker of the Danish Parliament Henrik Frandsen and members of the Presidium. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also attended the reception.
The visit coincided with the commemoration of the end of the First World War.
During his address to Parliament, President Zelenskyy spoke about the current situation in Ukraine and shared his perspectives with Danish parliamentarians and the Danish people. He also reflected on Europe’s shared history and the importance of peace, freedom and European solidarity.
The visit began at 11:00 a.m.
Upon arrival, President Zelenskyy first met with members of the Danish Parliament’s Presidium. He subsequently participated in a series of high-level meetings inside the Parliament building, engaging with representatives of different political parties and parliamentary groups.
The meetings took place in the Parliament’s Conversation Room, a venue primarily used for receiving foreign heads of state and hosting important official meetings.
In addition, President Zelenskyy held several roundtable discussions with Danish parliamentarians representing different political groups.
The discussions focused on the current security situation facing Ukraine and Europe, developments in the war, and prospects for peace in the future.
Following these meetings, President Zelenskyy addressed members of the Danish Parliament in a formal parliamentary speech.
In his address, he connected the commemoration of the end of the First World War with Europe’s shared history, stressing that European countries must remember the lessons of the past and remain united in defending peace and security in the face of war and emerging challenges.
President Zelenskyy emphasised that peace and security in Europe depend on the shared responsibility of all countries.
He further underlined that continued international support for Ukraine is essential to protecting freedom, independence and the fundamental right of every nation to determine its own future.
Speaker of the Danish Parliament Henrik Frandsen said he was deeply honoured to welcome President Zelenskyy to the Danish Parliament.
Frandsen noted that Zelenskyy’s speech once again highlighted the urgent need for European countries to stand together in support of freedom, independence and the right of people to determine the future of their own country.
Describing the meeting as warm and sincere, Frandsen stressed that the Danish Parliament, across political party lines, remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine.
He further observed that over nearly five years, Ukraine has paid an unimaginable price in its struggle to defend freedom.
The Ukrainian people are not only defending their country and democratic institutions, but also protecting their fundamental right to decide their own future.
Frandsen emphasised that the Ukrainian people are not fighting solely for themselves. They are also defending the values that Europe collectively holds dear.
For this reason, he said, political parties across the Danish Parliament stand in support of Ukraine.
During the visit, the Danish Parliament also arranged meetings with the Presidium, political party leaders, parliamentary group representatives, and representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
These engagements further demonstrated the shared concern and interest in Ukraine among the different political institutions and autonomous territories within the Kingdom of Denmark.
- Denmark and Ukraine Strengthen Security Cooperation, Working Together for Peace and Stability in Europe
President Zelenskyy’s visit to Denmark covered several important dimensions of bilateral relations, including royal diplomacy, national commemorative events, defence industry engagement and parliamentary diplomacy.
From King Frederik X’s address at Kastellet to President Zelenskyy’s speech at the Danish Parliament on the importance of European solidarity, both sides emphasised the fundamental importance of national sovereignty, freedom, independence and collective efforts to safeguard European security.
Denmark not only reaffirmed its support for the Ukrainian people but also demonstrated its commitment to expanding practical cooperation through defence industry engagement and technological exchanges.
These efforts are aimed at strengthening cooperation in intelligence, military technology, equipment development and defence capabilities.
Following the visit, Speaker of the Danish Parliament Henrik Frandsen also granted an exclusive interview to Peng Zhongmin, correspondent for Royal Denmark Magazine.
During the interview, Frandsen shared his views on the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the ongoing efforts of the international community to promote a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
President Zelenskyy’s visit once again demonstrated that, in response to profound changes in Europe’s security environment, Denmark and Ukraine are committed to strengthening their partnership.
Together with other European countries, they continue to work towards creating the conditions for a just and lasting peace, while safeguarding freedom, independence and stability throughout Europe.
— End —
Royal Denmark Magazine | Copenhagen, Denmark | November 12, 2026
