Talks underway to allow US troops on Danish soil

Denmark may reverse a decades-old policy and soon allow American troops and military equipment to be stationed on its soil through a new defense cooperation agreement with the United States. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters Thursday that the two countries will begin negotiations on a new agreement, which would be “a breakthrough after many decades,” according to Danish public broadcaster the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, as reported by The Associated Press. 

“An increased American commitment here in Denmark will improve the access of the United States to the European continent,” Frederiksen said.

Under its current policy, the NATO ally does not allow foreign troops to be stationed on Danish soil. 

The announcement comes as tensions ratchet up between Western nations and Russia, which appears ready to invade Ukraine with a massive placement of more than 100,000 troops near the former Soviet country’s borders. 

Frederiksen stressed that the new U.S.-Danish talks were not due to the current situation in Eastern Europe and had been planned for some time. 

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov, meanwhile, told reporters that no American military bases would be set up in Denmark. 

The Danish government is reportedly hoping to have a similar defense pact with Washington as fellow NATO member Norway has had since May 2021.  

Under Norway’s treaty, American forces have permission to move freely in and out of the country, though Washington must adhere to Norwegian law and not send nuclear weapons, landmines or cluster bombs with those troops.