Denmark's Russian relationship
Denmark and Russia have always been economically and politically important to one another though. Denmark, since the end of the Cold War, has acted as a bridge between the east and west, and during much of the tumultuous politics of the post-war and Cold War period, remained largely neutral in many affairs concerning Russia. In 1939 the country refused to support measures to expel Russia from the then-League of Nations, and resisted attempts by Nordic countries to set up a defense alliance for the region.
Russia had long had an interest in Scandinavia, however, indeed relations between the two countries began with the treaty concerning an offensive against Sweden, and throughout its history Russia has remained interested in the region, the most recent manifestation of this interest has arisen through the construction of Nord Stream, the controversial natural gas pipeline that will supply Western Europe with energy from Russia.
Here again, Denmark has played a pivotal role, with the pipeline passing through much of its territorial waters.
The tensest moment in relations between the two countries, since the Second World War at any rate, came in 1949 when Denmark played a role as one of the founding countries of the NATO alliance, an alliance with which Russia has always been uncomfortable. During the Cold War Scandinavia became a source of significant interest again as Russia worried that the region might become a site for the placement of US nuclear missiles.
This was an area in which Denmark played a significant part, with the country in the mid-1980s electing a government that was in favor of Scandinavia remaining nuclear-free. Since the end of the Cold War relations between Denmark and Russia have been entirely normalized, though there are ongoing disagreements regarding human rights and Danish migration policies toward Russian nationals.
The Cold War is over, but its legacy remains in Europe. Most of the actions taken by the government of Russia are viewed through a veil of thinly disguised suspicion. The Nord Stream is a case in point, with many pointing out that the pipeline is controversial because (the environmental impact aside) it will create a situation whereby Western Europe is increasingly dependent on Russia for its energy needs.
Such a situation would have deep political repercussions, and for many leaders in Western Europe this is uncomfortable at best and unthinkable at worst. Denmark has been an active force in normalizing Russian relations with Europe and a number of high-profile meetings between Danish and Russian leaders have been aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
“I wait for the meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin with impatience. This will be a good opportunity to discuss the strengthening of good Danish-Russian relations,” Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Denmark news media in March of 2010. The Prime Minister was referring to a planned meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, where economic and political issues were later discussed.
More recently a significant step was taken when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in the Copenhagen to on an official state visit. He was met by the Prime Minister and the Queen, who also held a State Banquet in his honor.
“A state visit – the highest grade of diplomatic protocol – is evident of the level of inter-state relations,” presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told Danish and Russian news media, adding that the visit cemented the degree to which relations between the two countries have grown in recent years.
Russia remains a huge regional power, close relations with the former-Soviet giant are integral to the long-term security and economic prosperity of Denmark. Although the Nord Stream pipeline, slated for completion in 2012, remains controversial, it is also a symbol of the tension that remains between Western Europe and Russia. Denmark seems set to take a leading role in mediation, as it has done through much of its modern history and remains, as ever, neutral in most issues.
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Denmark Discussion
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Denmark's Russian relationship
Danish relations with Russia have existed for several centuries, with the first recorded diplomatic relations dating from 1493, when King Hans and Ivan III signed a treaty aimed at planning an offensive against Sweden and Lithuania. Since then the relations between the two countries have grown closer, frayed, become tense, reconciled and stagnated at different points throughout the history of their respective political development.
Denmark and Russia have always been economically and politically important to one another though. Denmark, since the end of the Cold War, has acted as a bridge between the east and west, and during much of the tumultuous politics of the post-war and Cold War period, remained largely neutral in many affairs concerning Russia. In 1939 the country refused to support measures to expel Russia from the then-League of Nations, and resisted attempts by Nordic countries to set up a defense alliance for the region. Read more
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