(Newswire.net — March 23, 2015) — Denmark’s idea to participate in NATO Defense Shield is considered a serious threat to Russian interests, Russian ambassador to Denmark, Mikhail Vanin, told the Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
“I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the US-led missile defense shield. If that happens, Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles,” he said.
According to Vanin, it is unacceptable for Denmark to place a defensive missile because Russia sees them as offensive and it imposes a serious threat to world peace. Copenhagen, however, called the warning unacceptable and NATO said that threatening with nuclear weapons would not contribute to peace.
According to the Pentagon, the missile shield is designed to protect members from missile launches from countries like Iran. However, Denmark is located far from Iran, and given that Greenland is considered Danish territory as well, a missile shield established that close to Russia’s northern military capacity could reduce the effectiveness of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
In addition, Moscow sees the recent US military defile through Eastern Europe, close to the Russian border, as a poke in the eye, and a serious provocation.
Denmark was a staunch member of the alliance and NATO would defend all allies against any threat, said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, Reuters reported.
“We have made clear that NATO’s ballistic missile defense is not directed at Russia or any country, but is meant to defend against missile threats. This decision was taken a long time ago, so we are surprised at the timing, tone and content of the statements made by Russia’s ambassador to Denmark,” she said.
Lungescu added that Vanin’s statements “do not inspire confidence or contribute to predictability, peace or stability,” Reuters reported.
“Russia knows very well that NATO’s missile defense is not aimed at them,” Denmark’s foreign minister Martin Lidegaard told Jyllands-Posten, adding that Vanin’s comments were unacceptable.
Moscow, however, sees it differently. “Denmark will become a part of the threat against Russia. It will be less peaceful, and relations with Russia will be damaged,” Vanin said, adding that Russia has missiles, which would be able to penetrate the future missile shield.
One by one, NATO countries join the US-led defense missile shield program against possible missile threats from Iran, however, too close for Russia who ihas already been attacked by economic sanctions.