Now is the time for Europe really to step up on Ukraine
The writer is Denmark’s foreign minister. He writes together with the other foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Published in Financial Times 24 February 2025.
There are certain milestones you look forward to. A birthday. A wedding anniversary. Your national day. And then there are those milestones you would do anything to avoid. Today belongs in the latter category.
Ukraine has been under attack from Russia for more than 10 years. And the full-scale, illegal and unprovoked invasion has now lasted for three years — a full 1,096 days. This is how long the Ukrainian defenders have been repelling the attacks of Putin’s army of killers. Meanwhile, millions of civilians in Ukraine continue to fear for their families and their future. Dreams have been shattered and everyday life has been turned upside down.
Those years will never come back. Nor will the thousands of killed Ukrainians. And for what? Because Vladimir Putin, with his imperial ambitions, decided that it should be so.
The Nordic-Baltic countries have supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. Our support has been a top priority and remains so — militarily, politically, financially, and by humanitarian means. Ukraine is not only fighting for itself, but for all of Europe.
Both in relative terms and in absolute numbers, our countries have been some of the largest contributors to Ukraine. Together, the Nordic-Baltic countries are the world’s second largest military donor to Ukraine after the United States. We are proud to stand fully and firmly behind our Ukrainian friends in defending freedom and security in Europe. At the same time, this calls for serious reflection.
This is a team effort. The future of Ukraine is the future of Europe. European unity has been historic when it comes to sanctions and mobilising political support. But how can it be that eight small countries in northern Europe are leading in that support?
In this existential moment, we are ready and willing to do more. But as the future of European security hangs in the balance, now is the time for the whole of Europe to step up. It’s about prioritising the security of Ukraine and Europe.
Going forward, three things must be clear.
First, before discussing postwar plans, we should do everything we can to help Ukraine achieve peace through a position of strength.
Strength on the battlefield translates to strength at the negotiating table. The sense of urgency must be clear to everyone. We need to provide more military support as quickly as possible to bolster Ukraine and deter Russia from further aggression. We have to move faster and be more resolute. More countries need to do more. Europe must take on a larger responsibility.
Second, any settlement must be sustainable over time. This requires Ukrainian and European commitment and involvement. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference: “No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe.”
Third, If Europe steps up, we will also become a stronger partner for the US. It is only by increasing our own efforts that we will become indispensable in future negotiations.
We too are focused on ending the war of aggression. But a quick deal risks becoming bad — and dangerous — if it does not lead to a lasting and just peace in Ukraine that includes strong security guarantees. A peace that respects Ukraine's borders and right to self-determination and ensures that Russia cannot exploit the situation to rearm and attack again. A deal imposed on Ukraine will not be sustainable.
We are ready to think creatively to find new financing for Ukraine's military. The time to do so is now. But the European countries must dig deeper into their pockets.
Russia is the most significant direct threat to the security order that we, together with our American allies, have built in Europe since the second world war. This remains true in the long term, regardless of how the war against Ukraine unfolds.
“Reset” is a tested path — it has brought nothing but conflict. Therefore, in addition to doing everything we can to support Ukraine, we must invest much more in our own defence, ensuring that Nato’s defence plans can be implemented in all circumstances.
President Zelenskyy is an elected statesman who has heroically led Ukraine through three years of constant attacks on his country and people. We owe it to Ukraine that there is no fourth anniversary of the full-scale war. This requires all of Europe to step up. It is still not too late. Let’s go.
The following foreign ministers also contributed to this article: Margus Tsahkna (Estonia); Elina Valtonen (Finland); Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (Iceland); Baiba Braže (Latvia); Kęstutis Budrys (Lithuania); Espen Barth Eide (Norway); Maria Malmer Stenergard (Sweden).