Danish Intelligence Warns of Possible Large-Scale War Between Russia, EU Within Five Years

Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service (FE) warned on Tuesday that Europe could face a large-scale war with Russia within five years if the war in Ukraine ends or freezes without NATO simultaneously rearming. According to Denmark’s state news media, the intelligence report highlighted that Russia has already expanded its military production and modernization efforts, aided by external financial and material support, allowing it to rearm against NATO.

While the FE currently sees no immediate risk of a “regular military attack” on Denmark, it emphasized Russia’s dominant military presence in the region and its strategic interest in controlling sea areas north of its mainland, possibly extending to the North Pole. The 2022 Russian maritime doctrine explicitly allows the use of military force to defend these northern interests, further raising concerns.

Regarding Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the FE assessed that Russia views them in a North American context rather than a European one, meaning it is less likely to involve them in a European conflict. The report concluded that while Russia is willing to challenge multiple European nations militarily, it is more cautious in provoking direct confrontation with the United States due to the far-reaching consequences.