The West, Russia, and the Baltic Sea Security in the 2020s in the Light of Danish Foreign Policy

Abstract

The West as well as Moscow challenges the foundations of the European security order. The security order was established shortly after the end of the Cold War in 1990. While growing instability looms over the Baltic Sea region, all the states there should maintain at least low-level regional cooperation with Russia to prevent any further escalation of security tensions. The chapter analyses the West, Russia, and the Baltic Sea Security in the light of Danish foreign policy and the future tasks for NATO in the Baltic Sea area in the 2020s. One key question for the European security community is whether today's confrontation between the EU member states and Russia is the end of its spread to the Baltic Sea region, including Russian districts, and the beginning of a return of geopolitical rivalry in the region. The chapter argues that while each role depicts Denmark as a fringe Nordic country, Nordicness continues to be important, but mostly uncredited, as a source of ideas for Danish foreign policy.