In Denmark, concern about Russia's threats and U.S. curiosity in Greenland

[ad_1] COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Some Danes advised CBS Information on the streets of Copenhagen they're more and more fearful about their nation's safety due to what they see because the rising menace from close by Russia and considerations over the reliability of the Trump White Home as an ally.

Kenneth Howery, the brand new U.S ambassador to Denmark, is in Greenland's capital Nuuk this week for his first journey to the Danish-controlled, however self-governed, nation. He mentioned in a social media publish on X that he and officers from Greenland and Denmark "renewed our dedication to a powerful and mutually helpful relationship" whereas assembly on Monday.

Their assembly got here after U.S. and Danish diplomatic ties have been strained by President Trump reviving his long-standing curiosity in buying Greenland, which the White Home has argued is important to guard U.S. nationwide safety. Mr. Trump hasn't ruled out taking Greenland by navy pressure though Denmark is a member of the U.S.-led NATO alliance.

Hanne Mortenson, a Danish resident of the nation's capital, advised CBS Information late final week that she has at all times seemed to the US as "the perfect of democracy," however believes the nation is changing into "an increasing number of autocratic." She mentioned that's troubling resulting from Russia's repeated, current incursions into European airspace.

"I noticed this huge map yesterday on TV with how a lot the Russians are coming nearer and that worries me," Mortensen mentioned, though she added that she would not need the U.S. to take over Greenland regardless of safety considerations associated to Russia.

Denmark is constantly ranked as one of many world's happiest international locations, in response to the World Happiness Index. However in current weeks, European nations have reported unidentified drones flying round key infrastructure, together with in Denmark, following Russian drone and fighter jet incursions into Poland, Romania and Estonia. A few of the United States' European NATO allies have alleged airspace incursions are a part of a marketing campaign of escalating hybrid warfare techniques by Russia.

In September, Copenhagen Airport was pressured to suspend flights resulting from unidentified drone sightings. Russia, nevertheless, denied involvement in drone incursions, with its embassy in Denmark saying in an announcement on the time that "incidents involving reported disruptions at Danish airports are a staged provocation. Undoubtedly, they are going to be used as a pretext for additional escalating stress within the pursuits of forces searching for by all means to lengthen the Ukrainian battle and prolong it to different international locations."

Nonetheless, one 70-year-old Danish lady advised CBS Information that the Danish sense of safety and contentment is waning.

"The Russians need to undergo Denmark to come back to Europe," she advised CBS Information. "I feel individuals my age are extra fearful as a result of we keep in mind – we're after World Battle II kids – so, we keep in mind these days, and we've heard about it our whole childhood, concerning the struggle and the difficulties and all of the horror that goes with struggle."

Copenhagen resident Thomas Geuken, mentioned he was lately speaking to his 90-year-old father-in-law, "and I requested him this morning, 'Is the glass half empty or half full?' And he really mentioned, 'Nicely, it is half empty due to the struggle in Ukraine and Russia. So it performs an enormous half in our considering.'"