Today in Denmark: a roundup of the news on Wednesday
The Nordic defense cooperative surveying the Russian border, sweeping cancellations of SAS flights, and dashed Eurovision dreams are among the top stories in Denmark this Wednesday.
Nordic defense cooperative convenes to discuss Russia
Defense ministers from Nordic nations will meet today in Norway to discuss what they're referring to as "Russia's aggressions," Danish newswire Ritzau reports.
Representatives from the member nations of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (Nordefco) — including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland — will visit observation posts in the Norwegian town of Kirkenes on the border with Russia.
Danish defense minister Morten Bødskov says Nordefco expects "increased Russian aggression and presence in the Baltic Sea."
Although there's no current threat to Denmark or other NATO countries, Bødskov says, "we see a Russia that is constantly testing borders and has been doing so for several years."
At the end of March, a Russian aircraft briefly entered Danish airspace east of Bornholm and was greeted by Danish F16 fighter jets, the Defense Operations Center said. The Russian plane promptly left Danish airspace.
READ ALSO: Denmark accuses Russian spy plane of violating airspace
Denmark eliminated from Eurovision
For the second year in a row, Denmark's Eurovision hopes are dashed before the finals.
Danish entrant Reddi and their song "The Show" failed to secure a spot in yesterday evening's semifinals. Bookies have apparently been "lukewarm" as to Denmark's chances, Ritzau reports, so it's not exactly a shock.
The bookies are bullish, however, on Ukraine's chances, and not purely on the merits of the Kalush Orchestra's song "Stefania."
Several countries advance automatically to the final because they pay for the lion's share of the Eurovision Song contest — those are France, Germany, Spain and Italy. You can watch the official music video to Denmark's ill-fated song here.
Prime minister opposes change to NATO defense treaty
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen told parliament she's against any change to the NATO defense treaty that could eliminate the veto in the defense cooperation.
"It is not just me as Danish prime minister who is opposed," Frederiksen said. "It is a number of countries. Denmark, Sweden and 11 other countries are opposed."
Meanwhile, the Danish public is set to vote on whether to overturn the opt-out on European Union defense requirements on June 1st. Frederiksen has previously urged voters to overturn the opt-out.
“These times need togetherness, not opt-outs [Danish: sammenhold, ikke forbehold, ed.]. Partnership and not isolation. The Russia crisis is showing more than anything how important it is for Europe and the West to move closer together and take greater responsibility for our own safety,” she said.
READ ALSO: Denmark’s PM makes appeal over EU opt-out referendum as support for ‘yes’ vote dwindles
SAS cancels thousands of flights, blaming staff shortages
It might be time to re-evaluate your travel plans — SAS has cancelled 4,000 flights between May and August, according to Swedish news outlet Dagens Industri.
SAS's press officer in Denmark says very few passengers will even notice the cancellations, beyond the fact that some may be rebooked to a different flight. "We're doing this to prevent a situation this summer where it turns out we can't fly and passengers are stranded," the press officer told Ritzau.
The cancelled flights account for about 5 percent of SAS's summer travel, according to the airline.
SAS laid off nearly half its employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is still feeling the squeeze.
READ ALSO: Scandinavian airline SAS launches drastic cost-cutting program
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Nordic defense cooperative convenes to discuss Russia
Defense ministers from Nordic nations will meet today in Norway to discuss what they're referring to as "Russia's aggressions," Danish newswire Ritzau reports.
Representatives from the member nations of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (Nordefco) — including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland — will visit observation posts in the Norwegian town of Kirkenes on the border with Russia.
Danish defense minister Morten Bødskov says Nordefco expects "increased Russian aggression and presence in the Baltic Sea."
Although there's no current threat to Denmark or other NATO countries, Bødskov says, "we see a Russia that is constantly testing borders and has been doing so for several years."
At the end of March, a Russian aircraft briefly entered Danish airspace east of Bornholm and was greeted by Danish F16 fighter jets, the Defense Operations Center said. The Russian plane promptly left Danish airspace.
READ ALSO: Denmark accuses Russian spy plane of violating airspace
Denmark eliminated from Eurovision
For the second year in a row, Denmark's Eurovision hopes are dashed before the finals.
Danish entrant Reddi and their song "The Show" failed to secure a spot in yesterday evening's semifinals. Bookies have apparently been "lukewarm" as to Denmark's chances, Ritzau reports, so it's not exactly a shock.
The bookies are bullish, however, on Ukraine's chances, and not purely on the merits of the Kalush Orchestra's song "Stefania."
Several countries advance automatically to the final because they pay for the lion's share of the Eurovision Song contest — those are France, Germany, Spain and Italy. You can watch the official music video to Denmark's ill-fated song here.
Prime minister opposes change to NATO defense treaty
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen told parliament she's against any change to the NATO defense treaty that could eliminate the veto in the defense cooperation.
"It is not just me as Danish prime minister who is opposed," Frederiksen said. "It is a number of countries. Denmark, Sweden and 11 other countries are opposed."
Meanwhile, the Danish public is set to vote on whether to overturn the opt-out on European Union defense requirements on June 1st. Frederiksen has previously urged voters to overturn the opt-out.
“These times need togetherness, not opt-outs [Danish: sammenhold, ikke forbehold, ed.]. Partnership and not isolation. The Russia crisis is showing more than anything how important it is for Europe and the West to move closer together and take greater responsibility for our own safety,” she said.
READ ALSO: Denmark’s PM makes appeal over EU opt-out referendum as support for ‘yes’ vote dwindles
SAS cancels thousands of flights, blaming staff shortages
It might be time to re-evaluate your travel plans — SAS has cancelled 4,000 flights between May and August, according to Swedish news outlet Dagens Industri.
SAS's press officer in Denmark says very few passengers will even notice the cancellations, beyond the fact that some may be rebooked to a different flight. "We're doing this to prevent a situation this summer where it turns out we can't fly and passengers are stranded," the press officer told Ritzau.
The cancelled flights account for about 5 percent of SAS's summer travel, according to the airline.
SAS laid off nearly half its employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is still feeling the squeeze.
READ ALSO: Scandinavian airline SAS launches drastic cost-cutting program
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