Danish Foreign Minister Seeks New Dialogue With Moscow

Denmark's Foreign Minister said that dialogue with Russia is key for Danish interests and influence because Denmark "can’t find a crane large enough to move it."

Denmark's Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen told Danish media that he seeks to reestablish a dialogue with Russia after tensions between Russia and the EU created a schism in communication.

Explaining the decision to Danish media as a necessity to "deal with Russia" as what he called a "threat," Jensen said that he plans to begin an active dialogue with Moscow.

DK har brug for dialog med Rusland, både for at påvirke ifht. Ukraine ol. og for at samarbejde om Østersøen mm http://t.co/VqwgnberAZ #dkpol

— Kristian Jensen (@Kristian_Jensen) August 20, 2015

"Denmark needs dialogue with Russia in order to gain influence in regard to Ukraine, etc. and to cooperate on the Baltic Sea, among other things," Jensen wrote on his personal Twitter account.

Jensen was criticized by both Denmark's former Foreign Minister Martin Liegaard and the ministry's spokesman Nick Haekkerup for the idea. Both the spokesman and the former minister are members of parties in opposition to the current government.

According to Danish daily The Local, Denmark's intelligence service warned of a "frozen conflict" with Russia in a risk assessment.