On May 11, 2026, Copenhagen hosted the large-scale Nordic–Ukraine Summit—an international event bringing together politicians, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, think tanks, and the Ukrainian diaspora from the Nordic countries and Ukraine.
The summit served as a critical platform for addressing key challenges regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine, international security, hybrid threats, human rights, and the role of civil society in building sustainable support for Ukraine.
The event was opened by Anne Valentina Bertelsen, Member of the Danish Parliament, along with representatives from the Nordic Ukraine Forum and Ukrainian Dialogues. The central theme of the summit was justice as the foundation for a lasting peace.
Key Highlights and Panels:
• Human Rights and Accountability: Participants focused on Russian war crimes in temporarily occupied territories, international accountability mechanisms, and the protection of Ukrainian children. Key speakers included 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, Council of Europe Special Representative on Ukrainian Children Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, and representatives from the Danish Institute Against Torture, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and the University of Copenhagen.
• Hybrid Threats and Disinformation: Experts from the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, the Royal Danish Defence College, the Finnish organization Faktabaari, and Ukraine’s Khartia Brigade discussed modern information warfare and the role of democratic societies in countering anti-democratic regimes.
• Systemic Cooperation: The third panel focused on long-term support for Ukraine and its European integration through collaboration between Nordic countries, the Ukrainian diaspora, and NGOs.
The summit saw participation from the international Business Woman network, including founder Hanna Krysiuk, Danish director Alla Kuchans, and Estonian director Inna Gordiienko. Also in attendance were advisors to the Ombudsman of Ukraine in Finland, Lithuania, and Denmark, and Vitaliy Taradaiko, representative of the International Staff for Aid to Ukrainians.
The Nordic–Ukraine Summit reaffirmed that supporting Ukraine is not just a matter of solidarity, but a prerequisite for the security, democracy, and future of all Europe. International cooperation and a strong civil society remain the primary tools in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace.
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Photo: Business Woman