News about Germany

[Beauty BeastParticipant]

Germany and Denmark say Europe must toughen up

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned of the threat posed by hybrid warfare from Moscow after an underwater Baltic Sea cable was severed. Scholz was speaking as he met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Germany and Denmark’s political leaders met on Tuesday in a show of unity amid concerns about Russian hybrid warfare in the Baltic Sea and possible US designs on the annexation of Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the threat posed to European security, most immediately by Russia and China.

Mette underlined the notion that Europe needed to take responsibility for its own security.

“We need to step up in Europe, we need a stronger and a more resolute Europe standing increasingly in its own right, capable of defending and promoting Europe and the European interests,” she said. “It is up to Europe to define the future of our continent. And I think we have to take more responsibility for our own security, strengthening our defense industry.”

What’s behind the comments?
The pair’s comments came after a cable under the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Latvia was severed in a suspected act of sabotage. Latvia deployed a warship in the immediate aftermath and has claimed the damage was likely caused by “external influence.”

A Bulgarian vessel that set sail from Russia days earlier has been seized by Swedish authorities while an investigation takes place.

It was the latest in a series of incidents that have raised fears of Russian sabotage and spying in the strategic region.

Launched earlier this month, the Baltic Sentry operation involves frigates, maritime patrol aircraft and a fleet of naval drones to provide “enhanced surveillance and deterrence” to protect undersea infrastructure.

Mette was visiting Berlin as part of a tour of major European capitals with the continent facing what she called “a more uncertain reality.”

On Monday evening, her government announced a roughly 14.6 billion-kroner (nearly $2 billion; €1.92 billion) agreement with parties including the governments of Greenland and the Faeroe Islands to bolster its military presence around Greenland.

The move came after Trump repeated his interest in making Greenland part of the United States. The island, which is largely self-governing under the Danish crown, with defense and foreign affairs provided by Denmark, is believed to hold vast natural resources and is strategically situated for control of the Arctic.

0

0

[Author]

Posts