Denmark's prime minister Mette Frederiksen speaks during a ceremony at the Danish monument outside of Sainte Marie du Mont, Normandy. (PA)

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen spoke at the D-Day commemoration and cited the current war in Ukraine.

Earlier in her speech, Frederiksen said “freedom is not a legacy”, as she called for Ukraine to be given full support to win theIr fight against Russia.

She said: “History is our coming memory.

“To all of you whose father, grandfather, great-grandfather or other close relative who was part of the battle at Normandy or the fight against Nazism, I will say our fight for freedom today is based on them.

“It is our responsibility – we who live now – to remember and tell their story.

“History is our common memory. It reminds us who we are, what is wrong and what is right.

“Generations before us imagined a new Europe of peace after a terrible war.

“They carried a wish and a hope and a struggle for freedom. Now today in Europe, we are still in the process of understanding what it means war has returned to our continent.

“We must step up to honour the sacrifice of past generations, take on the heavy responsibility that has fallen on our generation. And make sure that the generations to come are proud of what we did.

“I am fully aware that history never repeats itself, but sometimes it feels that way.

“Right now in the heart of Europe a city is bombed. Right now children and families murdered.

“Just two hours flight from Copenhagen, Kharkiv is the target of daily bombing. A city just like any other city in Europe, but right now a city at the frontline in the fight for freedom.

“The freedom that the soldiers bravely fought for 80 years ago. We cannot let it slip from our hands.

“Freedom is not a legacy.

“To win the war Ukraine needs our full support. Our weapons, our aircraft, our material.

“They need more and they need it now and they will get it for as long as it takes.

“Doing too little too late is not an option.”