Denmark warns of heightened threats from Russia amid global power tensions

Denmark faces its most serious external security challenges in years as global geopolitical tensions rise and uncertainty grows over the United States’ long-term commitment to Europe, the country’s Defence Intelligence Service (FE) said on December 10.

In its newly released annual threat assessment, the FE said that major powers are increasingly asserting themselves on the world stage, Reuters reports. 

"The world's great powers are increasingly prioritising their own interests and using force to achieve their goals," the agency wrote, identifying Russia and China as key states challenging Denmark’s security environment.

The report highlights Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine as a central factor shaping Europe’s security situation. FE analysts also warned that doubts over Washington’s future role in European defence could embolden Moscow.

"At the same time, uncertainty has arisen about the role of the United States as a guarantor of European security, and this will increase Russia's willingness to intensify its hybrid attacks against NATO," the agency stated.

Although Denmark does not currently face the threat of a direct military attack, the intelligence service cautioned that regional risks are nonetheless rising.

"The military threat from Russia to NATO will increase, even though there is currently no threat of a regular military attack against the Kingdom of Denmark," the report concluded.

By Sabina Mammadli