Is the world unstable? Yes. Are there reasons to trust in a détente? No. Against that backdrop, what matters is readiness and the willingness to invest in defense. Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, the leader of the Social Democrats, outlined an extraordinary plan to bolster the nation’s defense framework. The package increases the defense ministry’s budget by 6.7 billion euros for 2025 and 2026, lifting the country’s military spending to 3.7 percent of gross domestic product. The plan foresees a total commitment of about 16 billion euros through 2033. These resources will go toward modernizing sensors, communications, and especially air defense systems, ensuring the airspace over Denmark and its nearby sea lanes is protected. The steps represent a pivot from a decade of fiscal caution toward a posture designed to deter aggression, reassure allies, and strengthen regional resilience in a rapidly shifting geopolitical climate. The Danish government stresses that this shift is not about aggression but about credibility and deterrence in an era when adversaries demonstrate greater willingness to test traditional security arrangements.
Frederiksen cited the Russian threat as the driver for the plan. Denmark, with about 5.8 million residents, is among the top per capita donors of military aid to Ukraine. The prime minister, like her Nordic and Baltic peers, sits among the EU’s most committed supporters of Kyiv since Russia’s invasion began. The move is part of a broader strategy to align with NATO allies and to strengthen resilience in northern Europe amid concerns about Baltic stability and the security of sea routes.
Beyond the defense budget, the announcement touches Greenland’s status and the broader debate about sovereignty in the Arctic. Copenhagen has rejected any idea of selling Greenland and has emphasized that the vast island cannot be put on the market. The autonomous government of Greenland has echoed that claim, underscoring that decisions about the territory rest with its people, currently about 58,000 residents. In the coming March, Greenland will hold parliamentary elections, a vote that will measure the strength of independence movements. The Greenlandic statute recognizes the right to self-determination within the framework of Danish governance and the relationship remains a central political question.
Meanwhile, White House plans have strained ties between the Trump administration and Europe. The U.S. president has even hinted at the possible use of force, a scenario once deemed inconceivable among NATO partners. Berlin and Paris have publicly supported Frederiksen, who has traveled to European capitals to secure backing for defense initiatives.
Denmark’s decision to reinforce its defense spending signals a break from years of budget discipline and ongoing cuts that have shaped Copenhagen’s approach. Military support for Ukraine has driven a large share of resources away from other domestic priorities, prompting a reexamination of how to balance immediate security needs with long-term modernization of capabilities.