Denmark's defense chief asserts that it's premature to debate the potential deployment of Danish military personnel in Ukraine.
Troels Lund Poulsen Stays Coy on Danish Soldiers for Ukraine Peacekeeping
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Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has yet to delve deep into the possibility of Danish soldiers joining a prospective peacekeeping force in Ukraine, according to his latest remarks to national broadcaster DR.
He stating, "It's not about now, mate. Peace talks haven't even begun. We need to sit tight and see what happens."
Tensions arise as the US pushes for peace negotiations with Russia, a vexing issue that has sparked a fresh debate about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine. The news agency Reuters reported on Sunday about a document sent from the US to European allies, posing questions about a possible peacekeeping force.
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, indicated readiness to deploy troops if necessary, calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity". Meanwhile, Sweden is also open to participation, as per Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Various Danish opposition parties have endorsed the deployment of Danish troops, including the Liberal Alliance, the Social Liberal (Radikale Venstre), the Alternative, the Conservative, and the Moderates, expressing their support.
The Canadian Press reported that Denmark is planning exclusive training missions, with unarmed soldiers receiving specialized, short-term courses in drone warfare tactics, tentatively starting summer 2025[1][2][3].
While the Danish Army readies soldiers for training, a Nordic-Baltic agreement (including Denmark) has tentatively agreed to consider a future peacekeeping force in Ukraine, conditioned on a long-term ceasefire and clearer conditions[4].
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will join other European leaders in Paris today to discuss the approaching shift in US policy on the war in Ukraine.
Kyiv and its European allies experienced a blow last week when US President Donald Trump sidestepped them and called Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore initiating negotiations to end the conflict. Fearing a potential vacuum in the region's security, European leaders are rushing to confer in Paris[5].
- Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish Defense Minister, hasn't provided specifics about Danish soldiers potentially joining a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, as he stated on the national broadcaster DR.
- The news agency Reuters reported that the US has sent a document to European allies, inquiring about a possible peacekeeping force for Ukraine.
- The Social Liberal party in Denmark, Radikale Venstre, is among the opposition parties advocating for the deployment of Danish troops, similar to the stance taken by other parties like the Conservative and the Moderates.
- Despite the Danish Army preparing soldiers for training, any potential Danish or Nordic-Baltic peacekeeping force in Ukraine is contingent on a long-term ceasefire and clearer conditions.
- European leaders are set to discuss the impending shift in US policy regarding the war in Ukraine at a meeting in Paris, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also participating.
- General news outlets like Reuters and The Canadian Press have reported that Denmark is planning exclusive training missions for unarmed soldiers in drone warfare tactics, with the program tentatively starting summer 2025.
