Historical times call for historic decisions: Denmark sharply increases defense budget and abandons Russian gas

This was stated by the Danish Prime Minister Matte Frederiksen, Reuters reports.

The main parliamentary parties have agreed that Denmark will gradually increase its defense spending to reach 2% of GDP by 2033.

The budget will also allocate 7 billion kroons over the next two years to strengthen Denmark's defense, diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

The main parliamentary parties also agreed that Denmark should become independent of Russian gas "as soon as possible", although no deadline has been set.

"Historical times call for historic decisions," Frederiksen said at a briefing in Copenhagen, adding that this was "the largest investment in Denmark's defense in recent times."

"Putin's senseless and brutal attack on Ukraine marked a new era in Europe, a new reality," she said.

"Ukraine's struggle is not only Ukrainian, it is a test of the strength of everything we believe in, our values, democracy, human rights, peace and freedom," she added.

To ensure higher defense spending, Denmark's current budget constraints will be eased and the deficit will be negative after 2025.

We recall that on March 3 the Danish Parliament raised the Ukrainian flag next to the Danish flag in solidarity with Ukraine.

Denmark also supplied Ukraine with about 2,700 anti-tank missiles and a military hospital.