Ukraine war a threat to all of Europe - Frederiksen at EU summit
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said that she considers Russia’s war against Ukraine a threat to all of Europe and supports the European Commission’s proposal for reparations loans to Ukraine, which would be based on frozen Russian assets.
She said this on Wednesday in Copenhagen before the start of an informal meeting of the European Council, which Denmark hosts as the EU presidency. On Thursday, a summit of the European Political Community will be held in Copenhagen.
"Our main task and our main goal is, of course, to discuss security and defense deterrence, including drones, and assistance to Ukraine. The issue of migration will also be on the agenda," Frederiksen said, outlining the agenda for the Council meeting.
Asked whether Denmark supports the European Commission’s proposal for so-called reparations loans to Ukraine, which would be based on frozen Russian assets, the Danish Prime Minister said: "Yes, we do. We have supported throughout this war that Europe should do more, also on the issue of financing, and I think the Commission’s idea is actually a pretty good way forward." However, she noted that "there are some legal questions that need to be asked." "I am sure we will find a way out of this issue, but the idea of using frozen assets, I think, is a good idea," Frederiksen stressed.
The Prime Minister particularly emphasized the need for unity among EU member states. "There has to be a common European goal on this issue. Otherwise we will be divided, and this is the wrong path for Europe. I think we need to leave our national perspective, the talk about security in Europe, and look at the hybrid war that is going on, and look at the war in Ukraine not as a war in a European country, Ukraine, but as an attempt by Russia to threaten all of us. If you look at Ukraine from a European perspective, not from a national perspective, if you look at Russia and the hybrid war from a European perspective, not from your own national perspective, then I think everyone should be on the same page that we should all rearm," she is confident.
Frederiksen expressed hope that "now everyone is aware that there is a hybrid war, and today it is Poland, the next day Denmark, and next week probably somewhere else. So I look at it from a European perspective. There is only one country that is ready to threaten us, and that is Russia, and that is why we need a very strong response." In her opinion, the EU should not only do more, but also be aware that this hybrid war "consists of threatening us and committing all kinds of crimes." "I think it is serious. I think the war in Ukraine is very serious. When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of World War II," Frederiksen stressed. She also answered in the affirmative when asked about the possibility of shooting down drones. "I support Denmark having a mandate to try to shoot them down," the Danish Prime Minister said.
