Denmark’s security and defense policy priorities are embedded in a close bilateral relationship with the United States, and Danish decisionmakers and foreign policy experts consider NATO to be – without comparison – the primary security organisation for Denmark: a necessary shelter against external threats and a useful platform for promoting Danish interests and values. However, recent developments, most importantly the Russian invasion of Ukraine, challenge Danish security interests, and in this context Swedish and Finnish NATO-membership is likely to have important benefits for Danish security: the risk of military confrontation with Russia in the Baltic Sea area is reduced, NATO capabilities and competencies in the region are increased, the democratic identity of the alliance is strengthened, and Denmark will have the benefit of sharing information and pursuing interests in cooperation with two longtime trusted partners Sweden and Finland – and with all Nordic countries inside NATO for the first time. At the same time, Denmark will have to get used to a situation
where more Nordic allies compete for US attention.