NATO Summit: Denmark pledges troops for Baltics amid Ukraine crisis

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has pledged to send troops and equipment to the Baltics and Poland amid the crisis in the Ukraine.

NATO officials are set to discuss plans to boost defense plans in eastern Europe today. Baltic officials have called for permanent bases in the region amid what they see as a potential military threat from Russia.

Now, according to Thorning Schmidt, Denmark is prepared to send up to 300 troops to the Baltics and Poland in response to the situation.

“We will send a very clear signal to those NATO countries that feel vulnerable. They should know that they can count on the solidarity of the rest of the NATO countries. Denmark will do that by, as usual, delivering concrete actions rather than just talking about it,” the prime minister said.

Denmark has previously announced its intention to play a key role in the NATO base in Szczecin, Poland.
Thorning-Schmidt also said that Denmark would send an officer to NATO’s liaison office in Kiev and provide GPS equipment to Ukraine. She ruled out, however, sending weapons to Kiev.

“That is not something we are concerned about. We are most concerned with thoroughly discussing the security situation at the NATO meeting and sending a clear signal to the most vulnerable NATO countries that they can count on a security guarantee,” she added.

The Danish PM said that the situation in Ukraine has fundamentally changed NATO’s relationship with Russia.

“The partnership with Russia has fallen apart. Russia is unfortunately not a partner now. We hope that Russia can be again, but Russia today has become a strategic challenge for Europe and NATO,” the Prime Minister who is part of talks at the NATO summit said.