Russia by Vladimir Putin worries beyond the ancient satellite countries of the USSR. Scandinavian countries are particularly afraid of an extension of the Ukrainian conflict in the Baltic Sea. This is particularly the case of Sweden, or Finland. Faced with the growing threat that Moscow represents, Denmark will announce a “massive” reset plan for its army on Wednesday, February 19, Prime Minister Frederiksen said on Tuesday. “We have to strengthen ourselves massively to protect Denmark. And we have to rearm massively to avoid war,” said the government’s chief before parliament.
No details on the sum was disclosed this Tuesday by the Danish Prime Minister, in office since June 2019. However, according to the Danish public channel DR, the government should announce the creation of a fund of 50 billion crowns (6 , 8 billion euros) for additional defense expenses in 2025-2026. The government initially wanted to double the size of the fund, but there are not enough defense equipment available to buy it for a higher amount, according to DR. Anti-aircraft defense systems are among the needs of the army that does not currently have, added the chain.
If the Danish fund announced on Wednesday is 50 billion crowns, this will bring Denmark’s defense effort to 3 % of GDP, one of the main supporters of Ukraine. Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Danish military support for Ukraine has been around 7.2 billion euros, according to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It’s worse than during the Cold War”
This rearmament must be made “quickly” in the face of “a difficult situation for our country, kingdom and continent”, insisted Danish Prime Minister on Tuesday during her speech in Parliament. Denmark, which will take the rotating presidency of the EU Council on July 1, 2025, is currently going through “the most dangerous situation of (its) existence”. “It’s worse than during the Cold War,” she warned.
Monday, February 17, after an emergency meeting of European heads of government in Paris concerning Ukraine, Put Frederiksen had alerted that “Russia unfortunately threatens all Europe now”. The war in Ukraine is a matter of “Imperial dreams of Russia, the construction of a stronger and larger Russia, and I do not think they will stop in Ukraine,” she told journalists . “This is why I am very worried about the idea of a quick ceasefire, because he can give President Putin and Russia a better possibility […] To mobilize again and attack Ukraine or another country in Europe, “she added.
A “large -scale war” in Europe?
On February 9, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS) warned against the Russian threat, noting that if Moscow perceives NATO as weak, Russia could be ready to wage a “large -scale war” in Europe within five years. Danish intelligence offers three scenarios that could occur if the Ukrainian conflict stopped or was frozen, starting from the principle that Russia does not have the capacity to make war on several countries at the same time. In six months, Moscow could launch a “local war” against a neighboring country, and in two years, a “regional war” in the Baltic Sea region. In five years, she could therefore launch a large-scale attack against Europe, provided that the United States does not get involved.
“Russia will probably be more willing to use the military force in a regional war against one or more European NATO countries if it perceives NATO as a weakened or politically divided military”, indicates this non -classified report, Online free access. “This is particularly true if Russia believes that the United States cannot or do not want to support European NATO countries in a war with Russia,” said this report.
The need to counter the Russian threat has revised the position of certain countries in northern Europe to budgetary matters. States like Denmark, usually holding budgetary orthodoxy and classified in the category of “frugal countries”, seem to have recently operated on a reversal in the matter. The Speech by Put Frederiksenduring his wishes for the latest New Year, highlighted this change, CONSEAR POLITICO. The Danish Prime Minister, one of the most experienced leaders on the old continent, has indeed amazed the regulars of European budgetary issues, arguing for an increase in defense expenses, state aid and investments in the sovereignty of Europe. Moscow is not the only source of concern in Copenhagen: Donald Trump also multiplied the attacks on Denmark, one of the most faithful allies in the United States on the continent, threatened with reprisals if he did not give up His guardianship on Greenland.