The Week That Was, March 7th – 13th 2022:

Posted on 13. Mar, 2022 in: TWTW

Ukraine crisis:

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen voiced concern that Russia could employ chemical weapons in Ukraine – during a visit to NATO’s Multinational Corps HQ in Szczecin, Poland, the PM said there’s a ‘definite risk.’

Ex-NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned there’s a real possibility that NATO could end up at war with Russia – “When dealing with Putin we can’t exclude anything but if he chooses war there’s only one outcome – he would be beaten to a pulp,” said the former Danish prime minister.

In an interview with left-leaning daily Information, Denmark’s Executive Vice President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager said although Russia invaded Ukraine two weeks ago, President Putin has been working to undermine Europe with hacker attacks, gas addiction and attempts to destroy Western democracy for years.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Denmark, Mykhailo Vydoinyk, urged the West to help his country protect its airspace and nuclear reactors – in an interview with TV2 News, the Ambassador warned that Russian missiles could hit Ukraine’s 15 active nuclear sites, leading to a ‘potential 15 Chernobyls’.

By Friday, 749 Ukrainians had applied for asylum in this country since the Russian invasion two weeks ago, compared to only 5 in the previous two months – the ruling Social Democrats proposed making Ukrainian refugees exempt from the much-criticised jewellery law.

In a tweeted message, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba said his country and Denmark share the historic legacy of Vikings: “Ukrainians are fighting like Vikings against Russian invaders on the battlefield, while the Danes are fighting like Vikings for Ukraine, both within the EU and bilaterally.”

Denmark was one of 37 countries to sign a declaration urging all sports federations to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events.

Politics/Economy/EU/Foreign Affairs:

The government announced a June 1st national referendum on Denmark’s EU defence opt-out – Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said ‘historic times call for historic decisions’ and Putin’s pointless and brutal attack on Ukraine has heralded a new era in Europe. At the same time, she announced a massive increase in defence spending over the next few years.

After signing a formal agreement to strengthen military ties with the UK, Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said:: “This is about an addition to NATO that will ensure we have a much stronger, practical exercise collaboration around the Baltic region and the Baltic Sea.”

Mette Frederiksen’s approval rating has risen dramatically since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – her popularity had dropped to an all-time low following the Minkgate affair but the latest YouGov survey for tabloid daily BT shows she’s recovered and is now 4th following the events of the past two weeks – Health Minister Magnus Heunicke is still ranked the cabinet’s most popular minister.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen poured water on Ukraine’s EU membership bid by saying the war-torn country isn’t close to joining the union yet, after Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he expects Denmark’s support.

Ms Frederiksen expressed ‘full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’ during a phone call with her Georgian counterpart, Irakli Garibashvili.

Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod travelled to Moldova, Friday, for talks with his Moldovan counterpart Nicu Popescu concerning the refugee crisis, international mobilization of foreign assistance for the humanitarian crisis, and the country’s European integration agenda.

During a visit to Copenhagen, Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, said if Denmark cuts back on Russian gas it shouldn’t expect Norway to replace the shortfall.

Denmark suspended its contribution to the UN mission in Mali due to the Ukraine crisis.

Ex-defence minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen accused the government of trying to shut him down by accusing him of treason.

Danish inflation is now at a 30-year high – the consumer price index rose 4.8 percent year-on-year in February, the highest since 1989.  Industrial production rose a seasonally adjusted 2.2 percent month-on-month in January and is now at the highest ever.

Social Affairs:

The government was accused of a ‘discriminatory’ refugee policy for welcoming Ukrainians into the labour market but denying residency to many Syrians who fled their country in similar circumstances seven years ago.

The government, local authorities, and union representatives agreed on measures to fast-track Ukrainians into the labour market.

Opposition leaders requested an update on the number of emergency bomb shelters in Denmark – according to the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) there’s room for around 4.7 million people, or 80% of the population, in safe shelters but the figures are twenty years old.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen offered an unconditional apology to the six living victims of a 1950s failed social experiment in which 22 Greenlandic children were taken from their families and sent to Denmark to be integrated into Danish society.

High Court transcripts revealed that ‘spy boss’ Lars Findsen has been charged with at least nine counts of leaking state secrets.

Business:

In a U-turn, Carlsberg said it was halting all production and sales in Russia.

Lego halted new shipments to its 81 stores in Russia – the toy giant sales increased 27% last year ensuring record profits.

Faced with increasing criticism for continuing to purchase Russian gas, energy giant Ørsted said it’s stuck in a ‘watertight’ contract with Gazprom until 2030.

Vestas, the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturer, halted four wind farm projects under development in Russia, while dairy cooperative Arla Foods suspended all business operations in the country.

The Baltic Pipeline that will carry gas from Norway to Poland, through Denmark, could be partially operational by October.

A UK High Court granted the Danish tax authority (SKAT) the right to appeal an alleged $2 billion tax scam by the alleged kingpin, British hedge fund trader Sanjay Shah.

And that was ­­­The Week That Was, March 7th – 13th 2022 – To read all the above articles in full see: http://seven59.dk/archive (subscription required).