9 minutes agoDenmark Aims to Become Independent of Russian Gas
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday that her country would significantly increase its defence budget and is trying to become independent of Russian gas following Russia's attack on Ukraine. The historical <x0). “This is the biggest investment in Danish protection in recent times,” said [...]
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday that her country would significantly increase its defence budget and is trying to become independent of Russian gas following Russia's attack on Ukraine.
The historical <x0). “This is the biggest investment in Danish protection in recent times,” said Fredericksen.
The Scandinavian country will gradually increase its budget to reach 2% of GDP by 2033, which is equal to an increase in annual defence spending of around $2.65 billion, according to an agreement between the main parliamentary parties, Reuters reports.
The sides have agreed to allocate about $1 billion over the next two years to strengthen Danish defence, diplomacy and humanitarian aid.
Denmark, a NATO member, agreed in 2019 to increase military spending from 1.35 percent of its economic output to 1.5 percent by 2023, but was under pressure from the United States to reach NATO's 2 per cent target.
Putin's meaningless and brutal resolution of Ukraine has created a new era in Europe, a new reality. Ukraine's war is not just its own, it is a test and everything we believe in, a test of our values, democracy, human rights, peace and freedom”, the Danish prime minister added.
To adjust to higher defence spending, Denmark's current budgetary restrictions will be eased and the deficit will become negative after 2025.
Frederiksen said the main parliamentary parties agree that Denmark should become independent of Russian gas “as soon as possible”, though no timetable has been set.
