‘Russia is testing us,’ Danish PM warns in ‘historic’ announcement on long-range precision weapons
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Denmark is for the primary time to purchase long-range precision weapons resembling missiles and drones, Mette Frederiksen has abruptly introduced, as she warned “Russia is testing us”.
In what she described as a “paradigm shift”, the Danish prime minister mentioned that Denmark’s air defence shouldn’t be robust sufficient and desires to have the ability to hit targets at lengthy distances and “fight enemy missile threats”.
“Russia is testing us. They’re testing our unity,” she mentioned in a final minute press convention that was solely introduced this morning.
There may be little question that Russia shall be a menace to Denmark and Europe for a few years to return.
The transfer comes on the advice of the chief of defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s defence minister, mentioned.
Though Frederiksen mentioned the worldwide state of affairs is severe, she added that “there may be presently no concrete menace to Denmark”.
It’s nonetheless a mirrored image of the perceived severity of the safety state of affairs in Europe with Russia to the east and Donald Trump making threats to Denmark from throughout the Atlantic.
Danish newspaper Berlingske is calling the announcement “historic”.
Key occasions
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Ground-based air and missile defence system purchase ‘largest single investment in Danish defence ever,’ ministry says
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‘Russia wants conflict with Nato,’ Danish PM warns, as she warns Moscow keeps ‘pushing the boundaries’
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‘Necessary … to be able to counter threats before they reach our territory,’ Denmark says
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‘Russia is testing us,’ Danish PM warns in ‘historic’ announcement on long-range precision weapons
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Denmark plans to acquire long-range precision weapons
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Donald Trump to begin first full day of state visit and meet the King amid protests
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New tests show Alexei Navalny was poisoned, widow Yulia says, as she blames Putin for his death
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Main suspect in Madeleine McCann case released from German prison
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AfD’s Weidel tells Merz ‘citizens are growing impatient’ as she attacks him on migration, foreign, defence policy
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‘We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we do not have to defend ourselves,’ Merz says
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Germany faces ‘fundamental’ issues this autumn, Merz says, as he warns against ‘dictated peace’ in Ukraine
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Morning opening: What can UK get out of Trump?
Floor-based air and missile defence system buy ‘largest single funding in Danish defence ever,’ ministry says
The overall package deal for acquisition and operation of ground-based air and missile defence techniques is estimated to be value 58 billion kroner, equal to €7.7bn or £6.74bn, “the largest single investment ever in Danish defence.”
The defence ministry’s press launch outlined some particulars of the proposed purchases, saying that that Denmark will look to obtain the French-Italian SAMP/T NG air defence system for the long-range missiles, and “a number of” from the Norwegian NASAMS, the German IRIS-T or the French VL MICA techniques.
It mentioned that “the choice to go along with multiple or two suppliers allow shorter supply instances” and reaching readiness “as rapidly as doable.” The primary system is predicted to be operational this 12 months.
‘Russia needs battle with Nato,’ Danish PM warns, as she warns Moscow retains ‘pushing the boundaries’
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Frederiksen insisted that the transfer shouldn’t be an escalation however that it’s a “political alternative”.
“We’re making a political alternative about what it means to have the ability to defend ourselves,” she mentioned. “To place it bluntly, it’s not sufficient to have an air defence to maintain out what’s on the market. You need to present your will to have the ability to do extra.”
Russia, she mentioned, is “continually attempting to push the boundaries” and “needs battle with Nato.”
Referencing Russia’s latest violation of Polish airspace, she mentioned: “They may proceed to see what response comes. That’s why it’s additionally the best time to make this determination.”
She mentioned:
Russia needs battle with Nato. However the Danes mustn’t go round fearing a navy assault proper now.
‘Essential … to have the ability to counter threats earlier than they attain our territory,’ Denmark says
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
The Danish ministry of defence mentioned in a press release:
“Primarily based on the military-technical advice of the Chief of Defence, the federal government has decided in precept that Denmark will need to have long-range precision weapons.”
It added that the transfer is being carried out “with a view to strengthening Denmark’s nationwide and Nato and allies’ collective deterrence.”
Denmark’s chief of defence, Michael Hyldgaard, mentioned:
“It’s mandatory for the Armed Forces to have the ability to counter threats earlier than they attain our territory. It’s about giving the Armed Forces the best instruments to unravel the duty. We’re getting that now.”
‘Russia is testing us,’ Danish PM warns in ‘historic’ announcement on long-range precision weapons
Miranda Bryant
Nordic correspondent
Denmark is for the primary time to purchase long-range precision weapons resembling missiles and drones, Mette Frederiksen has abruptly introduced, as she warned “Russia is testing us”.
In what she described as a “paradigm shift”, the Danish prime minister mentioned that Denmark’s air defence shouldn’t be robust sufficient and desires to have the ability to hit targets at lengthy distances and “fight enemy missile threats”.
“Russia is testing us. They’re testing our unity,” she mentioned in a final minute press convention that was solely introduced this morning.
There may be little question that Russia shall be a menace to Denmark and Europe for a few years to return.
The transfer comes on the advice of the chief of defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s defence minister, mentioned.
Though Frederiksen mentioned the worldwide state of affairs is severe, she added that “there may be presently no concrete menace to Denmark”.
It’s nonetheless a mirrored image of the perceived severity of the safety state of affairs in Europe with Russia to the east and Donald Trump making threats to Denmark from throughout the Atlantic.
Danish newspaper Berlingske is calling the announcement “historic”.
Denmark plans to accumulate long-range precision weapons
We’re simply getting a line from Copenhagen that Denmark plans to accumulate long-range precision weapons to spice up its safety, the nation’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned.
We are going to convey you extra on this quickly.
Donald Trump to start first full day of state go to and meet the King amid protests
Andrew Sparrow
Official Britain is laying out the purple carpet for Donald Trump in the present day.
It’s the primary full day of his unprecedented state go to, and he’ll spend it with King Charles at Windsor Fort having fun with the best pageantry the nation can lay on.
Keir Starmer, like different Western leaders, has concluded that the key to getting optimistic outcomes from Trump is flattery and shameless sucking up, and (not for the primary time) the royal household is being deployed to this finish.
However civic Britain may also have its say on Trump in the present day, and – maybe conscious of his obsession with large crowds and his (supposed) love free of charge speech – there shall be protests all over the country.
When Mike Pence, Trump’s vice-president within the Trump’s first administration, was requested he felt about being booed one night time when he attended the theatre, he mentioned that was “the sound of freedom”.
Trump’s response to protesters is way darker. However there may be nearly no likelihood of his listening to “the sound of freedom” in the present day; his state go to is happening totally behind closed doorways.
Observe stay updates:
New checks present Alexei Navalny was poisoned, widow Yulia says, as she blames Putin for his loss of life
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny has simply claimed that two laboratory checks, performed independently of one another, present her husband was poisoned earlier than loss of life.
In a YouTube video, she recalled intimately the final letter from her husband, a day earlier than his loss of life in a penal colony in Russia, and his final days in custody, detailing the authorities’ lack of response to his first studies of being unwell.
She additionally confirmed images from contained in the cell the place he fell ailing.
On the video, she defined that “again in February 2024, we had been capable of receive and securely switch organic samples of Alexei overseas,” and “laboratories in a minimum of two international locations independently examined these samples.”
“Labs in two completely different coountries independently concluded: Alexei was killed; particularly, poisoned,” she mentioned, with out providing additional supporting proof. “I demand that the laboratories that performed the analyses publish their outcomes,” she mentioned.
“I assert that Vladimir Putin is liable for the homicide of my husband, Alexei Navalny,” she mentioned within the video.
“Cease appeasing Putin for some larger ‘concerns’. You can not placate him. Whilst you keep silent, he doesn’t cease,” she mentioned.
Primary suspect in Madeleine McCann case launched from German jail
In different information from Germany, the principle suspect within the 2007 disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann was launched from a German jail after serving out a seven-year sentence for an unrelated intercourse crime, Reuters reported.
German prosecutors first named Christian Brückner a suspect in 2020, when he was already serving the sentence for raping a 72-year-old girl in the identical a part of Portugal’s Algarve area the place McCann went lacking.
“I can affirm that he was launched at 9:15 native time, accompanied by a police escort,” mentioned Marcell Farbowski, spokesperson of the jail in Sehnde, including that Brückner had been pushed away by his lawyer.
Reuters famous that Brückner’s lawyer denies any reference to the McCann case. He didn’t instantly reply to a request to touch upon his shopper’s launch.
Brückner, 49, has convictions for little one abuse and drug trafficking along with the rape of the girl, who has since died.
Der Spiegel mentioned Brückner’s launch was tied to very strict situations: his passport has been cancelled, he’ll put on an digital tag and should declare a spot of residence that he can not depart with out permission.
Reuters mentioned that police in Britain, Germany and Portugal, who’ve recognized Brueckner as their fundamental suspect, have lengthy sought proof to hyperlink him conclusively to the case. Portuguese and German police spent 4 days digging for proof within the Algarve in June.
AfD’s Weidel tells Merz ‘residents are rising impatient’ as she assaults him on migration, overseas, defence coverage
Talking earlier than Merz, AfD’s chief Alice Weidel attacked him by saying that “the residents are rising impatient,” and accusing him of “complacency” and “denial of actuality.”
She paid tribute to US conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk killed within the US.
She additionally closely centered on migration, speaking about “the deadly ‘we will do it’ line of his occasion colleague Angela Merkel” in 2015, and its penalties for in the present day’s Germany, as she known as for “an actual turnaround” in strategy.
“Shut the borders fully and with out exception. Reject unlawful immigrants with out legitimate papers and people not entitled to asylum, with out exception. Naturalisation after ten years, on the earliest,” she listed her insurance policies.
She then accused Merz of “breaking each election promise” on power, taxation, and public funds.
In a very bruising line, she mentioned that confronted with “plummeting approval scores,” Merz was pretending to be a world chief alongside France’s Macron and Britain’s Starmer “whom his personal individuals not need in workplace” within the “coalition of losers, with their backs to the wall and enjoying with fireplace.”
She claimed they had been “sabotaging” Trump’s plans to finish the struggle in Ukraine however urging Zelenskyy to withstand making concessions, “conjuring up the bogeyman of an imminent Russian assault” to justify their spending plans.
Bear in mind: as talked about within the opening submit, that is the chief of the occasion that’s high of the polls, wanting on the YouGov ballot this morning (8:46).
Merz additionally talks about the necessity to “set up a brand new consensus” on welfare insurance policies, saying “some reforms are inevitable” if Germany is “to have the ability to fulfil the social guarantees we need to make sooner or later.”
He hints this is able to cowl adjustments to the pension system and different components, together with unemployment advantages.
He then makes his common factors about the necessity for a brand new “practical” power coverage, and the federal government’s “financial reform agenda” to extend productiveness, cut back paperwork, and push to modernise the state.
Coming to conclusions, he as soon as once more stresses the urgency to maneuver and resolve “longstanding issues” the nation is dealing with.
‘We wish to have the ability to defend ourselves in order that we wouldn’t have to defend ourselves,’ Merz says
Merz repeats his common line on defence as he says:
We need to have the option to defend ourselves in order that we don’t have to defend ourselves.
However he additionally makes a broader level in regards to the significance of modernising the nation, its civil safety plans, and the military.
He additionally talks about commerce, together with searching for new companions “in an more and more complicated world.”
He says that “the separation between home and overseas coverage is solely outdated,” as the federal government’s actions overseas “serve to protect freedom, peace and prosperity at residence.”
He additionally mentions progress on his authorities’s mission to decrease the variety of asylum functions in response to rising migratory pressures.
Morning opening: What can UK get out of Trump?
Jakub Krupa
US president Donald Trump is now in Britain and set to start the primary full day of his second state go to.
Whereas most of in the present day’s occasions are ceremonial, there’s a very lengthy record of issues that the UK authorities shall be hoping to debate and obtain throughout his keep in England, together with talks on commerce, defence and safety, Ukraine, and the Center East, to call just some.
However the go to is already off to a rocky begin after 4 individuals have been arrested after photos of him alongside deceased intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein had been projected on to Windsor Fort, the place Trump is ready to be hosted by King Charles, with separate group of protesters also gathering in the area.
In the meantime in Germany, the Bundestag is again from the summer time break this week and set to carry a common debate on present affairs.
After a rocky begin for his authorities, chancellor Friedrich Merz shall be hoping for a greater begin to the political autumn.
However the stress is very a lot on because the far-right Various für Deutschland has for the first time come top in the latest YouGov poll this morning at 27%, forward of the governing CDU at 26%, and the junior coalition associate SPD at 15%.
I’ll comply with the talk for key strains.
Numerous issues for us to cowl in the present day.
It’s Wednesday, 17 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Reside.
Good morning.
Germany faces ‘elementary’ points this autumn, Merz says, as he warns in opposition to ‘dictated peace’ in Ukraine
Opening the talk within the Bundestag, chancellor Friedrich Merz units out the stakes this autumn as he says Germany faces choices “not about particulars, however about very elementary points” that can outline its future.
“We should a sober take a look at the fact to be able to select the best path for our nation,” he says.
He stresses that “our freedom is underneath menace” with rising “sense of insecurity,” with Germany’s financial mannequin additionally “underneath stress” from “a brand new type of protectionism.”
He additionally warns in opposition to “political forces at residence and overseas” questioning social cohesion and undermining German democracy.
On safety, he begins by saying that the Russian invasion of Ukraine “has a really concrete influence on our lives,” and stresses: “We wish this struggle to finish.”
However he concedes that “there’s a purpose to concern it should proceed for a while.”
Merz stresses that “ending it on the expense of Ukraine’s political sovereignty and territorial integrity is out of the query,” and warns that “a dictated peace” may “solely encourage Putin to hunt his subsequent goal.”
He then condemns latest Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania.
“Putin has lengthy been testing the boundaries,” he says, however stresses:
We is not going to enable this.
