Concerns Rise as Denmark Sounds Alarm on Possible Russian Aggression Against NATO

Denmark’s defense minister issued a stark warning on Friday, suggesting that Russia might be gearing up to launch an attack on a NATO country within the next three to five years. Troels Lund Poulsen, the Danish Defense Minister, emphasized that while there’s no immediate threat to his nation, recent developments indicate heightened concerns.

Speaking to the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, Poulsen highlighted Russia’s significant advancements in military capabilities, raising fears about its potential intentions. “It cannot be ruled out that within a three- to five-year period, Russia will test Article 5 and NATO’s solidarity,” Poulsen stated, referring to the NATO treaty’s collective defense clause.

Poulsen underscored that this assessment reflects new intelligence, signaling a shift from NATO’s previous evaluations. He expressed genuine concern over Russia’s growing military prowess, suggesting that the country might possess the will and capability to challenge NATO’s security guarantees sooner than anticipated.

The warning comes amidst Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, now entering its 716th day. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed similar sentiments last month, cautioning that NATO should brace itself for a potential Russian aggression within the next five to eight years.

NATO, meanwhile, has been actively preparing for such scenarios. In January, the alliance launched its largest military exercises in decades, known as Steadfast Defender 24. With approximately 90,000 personnel participating, the drills aim to demonstrate NATO’s ability to defend its territory against any potential threat, including from Russia.

The exercises, spanning several months and covering various regions from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe, seek to showcase NATO’s readiness for complex multi-domain operations. Under NATO’s revamped defense plans, Russia and terrorist organizations are identified as the primary adversaries, reflecting the evolving security landscape in Europe.