Denmark launched its presidency of the European Union on Thursday with a call for Europe to unite to take on war in Ukraine and chaos caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's global tariff hike which are likely to mark the Nordic country's six-month term at the helm of the world's biggest trading bloc.

"If the U.S. decides not to provide Ukraine with what is needed, it would be a serious setback for Ukraine and for Europe and for NATO," Frederiksen told a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in connection with Denmark's takeover of the EU Presidency.

Denmark has expressed its support for Ukraine's membership in the European Union, while also seeking to improve its diplomatic relations with Kyiv.