Denmark and the US have started negotiating a new defence deal that could see American troops and military equipment on Danish soil, the country’s Prime Minister Mettle Frederiksen said.
“Such an agreement directly between the United States and Denmark will open up for a new cooperation and activities in a number of selected military areas in Denmark…It might include American soldiers on Danish soil,” she told reporters.
According to Reuters, Frederiksen said that the new agreement is not linked to the situation in Ukraine.
Danish Defence Minister Morten Bodskov said Denmark will contribute to strengthening the US engagement in Europe.
“Denmark and the US open negotiations on a defence cooperation agreement. A new chapter in our strong transatlantic relations. Denmark will contribute to a strengthening of US engagement in Europe. This is about defending our shared values,” Boskov said, as quoted by the ministry’s Twitter.
The United States has welcomed the Danish prime minister’s offer to negotiate a new defenve cooperation agreement with a view to boosting transatlantic security and interaction in NATO operations, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Thursday.
These statements come amid continuing tensions over Ukraine, with the US, UK and NATO pledging financial and technical support to Kiev so that it is prepared to repel “Russian aggression.” Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is plotting to “invade” Ukraine as groundless, stressing that NATO’s increased military activity close to Russia’s borders presents a threat to the country’s national security.
