As Denmark's outpost in an emerging frontline region, Bornholm is strategically crucial in the conflict between the West and Russia. On Monday and Tuesday, the rocky island will be the meeting place for a large group of key Western ministers who will coordinate the best preparedness against current hybrid attacks and potential invasion.
The NB8 body, which encompasses the Nordic and Baltic countries in a security policy forum, is being visited by ministers from Germany, France and Poland for a conference. It is absolutely necessary that the countries around the Baltic Sea engage in just such coordination. And Denmark has a key role to play. This is according to Amelie Theussen, associate professor at the Danish Defence Academy, who researches the security policy situation in the Baltic Sea.
- Everything must be coordinated, both when it comes to deterring Russia and a possible conventional war. But also when it comes to handling and deterring hybrid activities, she says.
The Baltic Sea contains many countries, each with its own state and authority apparatus. Russia can profit from this if the resistance is not coordinated. For example, control of the Russian ships sailing from Saint Petersburg or Kaliningrad can be spread over the territory of several countries.
- If each country runs its own show, Russia can hide in the borders and interfaces, says Amelie Theussen.
More threats to Europe
Europe is currently facing two different kinds of threats. One track concerns very acute, concrete hybrid attacks. Cyber attacks, damaged cables on the seabed and drones flying over ports and drilling platforms as observations have become everyday life. It must be handled the second it happens.
At the same time, the Baltic Sea and the Baltic countries are a direct front line in the event that Russia were to one day choose a conventional war with an invasion of the Baltic countries.
- When it comes to Bornholm, it is interesting because you can use the island to keep an eye on what is happening in the area, says Amelie Theussen.
The Danish government has also made that realization. During the week, Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V) and Chief of Defense Michael Hyldgaard established a new Bornholm Regiment on the island. Likewise, a new naval plan has decided to acquire ships that can monitor the Baltic Sea and protect critical infrastructure on the seabed.
- I am pleased that we have now agreed to acquire a ship with drones and sonar systems that can monitor Denmark's seabed, said Troels Lund Poulsen at a press conference.
- We are connected to our neighboring countries via pipelines and cables that transport electricity, gas and data. This makes Denmark vulnerable to sabotage.
Such a Danish effort can be much more valuable if the right coordination with neighboring countries is in place. For Amelie Theussen, there is therefore one particular topic that needs to be further refined at the upcoming ministerial meeting on the island.
- Coordination of response and the legal framework - where are the boundaries for national and international legislation, and how can we cooperate across borders, she says.
/ritzau/
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