The Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen, BRS) and the State Emergency Services of Ukraine (SESU) have entered into a strategic agreement to deepen cooperation on civil preparedness. The agreement includes mutual training, continued Danish materiel support, and the exchange of experiences regarding rescue operations in wartime environments.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony at SESU's headquarters in Kyiv on 5 February 2026, according to the press release from BRS. Present were Denmark's Minister for Public Security and Preparedness, Torsten Schack Pedersen, and Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko. The partnership formalises the cooperation that has been ongoing since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
"Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly four years. The extensive attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure have severely strained the Ukrainian rescue personnel who are doing exemplary work under difficult conditions," says Torsten Schack Pedersen in the press release.
The cooperation agreement allows personnel from both countries to participate in each other's courses and training sessions. Denmark commits to continue supporting Ukraine with materiel and training, while Ukraine will share experiences regarding civil defence work under wartime conditions.
The Director of the Danish Emergency Management Agency, Kenneth Pedersen, sees the agreement as a way to enhance the competence of both agencies. He emphasises the value of the knowledge that the Ukrainian rescue service has been forced to develop.
"SESU has, against a tragic backdrop, built up significant experience in civil preparedness during wartime and under extreme conditions. We can learn a lot from these hard-earned experiences. At the same time, we will continue to support and educate our Ukrainian colleagues from the Danish side," says Kenneth Pedersen.
During their stay in Ukraine, the delegation also visited St. Michael's Cathedral and Ukrainian fire stations where Danish materiel is used operationally.
SESU has written about the visit.
"We are deeply grateful to the Danish people and the Government of Denmark for their reliable support during this extremely difficult time for our country. The support we receive has not only material but also great moral significance for Ukrainian rescue workers," says Andrij Danyk, Head of Ukraine's Rescue Service.