FM Aurescu shows solidarity with Denmark: The threat to use force against a NATO state is inadmissible.

Controversial statement by Russian ambassador to Denmark targeting NATO anti-missile shield stirred prompt retorts of NATO, Romania and Denmark.

Russia’s ambassador to Denmark said Saturday that the NATO country’s navy could be targeted by nuclear missiles if it joins the Western alliance’s anti-missile shield.

American General Philip Breedlove, commander of NATO forces in Europe said on Sunday that Russia exerted “high pressure” against Romania and Poland because of the NATO missile defense system,” warning that Moscow intends to continue this position with all countries on the shield antibalistic.

During the seminar on security, held in Bruxeles, General Breedlove referred to threats against Denmark proferate to the Russian Ambassador in Copenhagen, Mikhail Vanin. “These threats are only the next step,” said Breedlove, noting that earlier in Russia is “high pressure” in relation to Romania and Poland.

“In any other country that wants to join the defense system (ABM) will be subjected to political and diplomatic pressure” from Russia, stressed, Breedlove.

Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu expressed Saturday night, in a post on Twitter, full solidarity with Denmark in the context of the assertions made by the Russian ambassador in Copenhagen, regarding the consequences of a Scandinavian state participation to the NATO missile system, and stressed that the threat to use force against a NATO state is inadmissible.

In his turn, Romanian Defence Minister Mirce Dusa said that Romania did not agree to the statement made by Russian ambassador in Copenhagen, underlining that Deveselu missile shield is a defensive system.

The threat made by Ambassador Mikhail Vanin in an opinion piece he wrote for the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten sparked an angry reaction and came amid an increasingly Cold War-style standoff between Moscow and the West, yahoo.com informs.

“I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences of what happens if Denmark joins the US-led missile defence,” Ambassador Mikhail Vanin wrote in the daily.

“If this happens Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles.”

Russia has long opposed NATO’s missile shield – launched in 2010 and due to be fully operational by 2025 – in which member countries contribute radar and weaponry to protect Europe against missile attacks.

Denmark has pledged to supply one or more frigates equipped with advanced radar to track incoming missiles.

The chairwoman of the Danish parliament’s foreign affairs, Mette Gjerskov said that the comments were “very threatening and not necessary” as the missile shield was simply an “intruder alarm” and no danger to Russia.

“This is a way of escalating the verbal tone between Russia and NATO,” she said, adding that the comments were also aimed at Russian public opinion. “But it doesn’t change the fact that we’re not afraid.”

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard said the remarks were “unacceptable rhetoric” and “completely out of proportion”.

“One should not threaten such serious things as the ambassador has done here,” he told news agency Ritzau.

Tensions between Russia and the Nordic countries have risen in recent years with reports of increased Russian airforce incursions in the Baltic region.