Denmark to vote on defense

Nordic country considering joining EU framework, increasing defense budget

Denmark is to hold a referendum on whether it should join the European Union's common defense policy, in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

The Nordic nation has also signaled its intent to increase its defense budget and aim to wean off Russian natural gas supplies.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told a news briefing that "historical times call for historical decisions", and appealed to Denmark's citizens to overturn the country's opt-out option from the bloc's defense policy, in the vote set for June 1.

"For me, as prime minister, this is a values-based decision," Frederiksen said.

"Ukraine's struggle is not just Ukraine's; it's a test of strength for everything we believe in: our values, democracy, human rights, peace and freedom."

She said Russia's President Vladimir Putin "has heralded a new time, a new reality. We stand together in Europe."

The move to be independent of Russian natural gas must happen "as soon as possible", added the prime minister.

"Energy policy is not just energy policy", but also a matter of "security policy", she said.

Frederiksen confirmed Denmark's Parliament had agreed defense spending would reach 2 percent of GDP by 2033, in line with the required target of the NATO military alliance. She said this would be equivalent to an annual increase of $2.65 billion in the nation's defense investment.

Denmark chose to opt out of the EU's common security and defense policy 30 years ago. It means the country does not attend EU meetings when military operations are discussed. By reversing the decision, the nation would be able to take part in joint EU military operations.

Other European nations are considering their positions on defense and security, reported The Guardian.

It noted that the governments of Sweden and Finland, neither of which are members of the NATO military alliance, announced deeper cooperation with NATO and each other.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced last month that the country would reverse a decades-long policy on defense spending, increasing investment by 100 billion euros ($109 billion).

Scholz told the Bundestag: "It is clear that we must invest significantly more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and democracy."

He said it was "Germany's historical responsibility" to ensure that Putin "does not turn the clocks back".

Germany also overturned its historic policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones.