Denmark will not block attempts to increase the size of the EU’s next long-term budget or issue more common debt during its forthcoming Council presidency, Copenhagen’s ambassador to the EU said on Tuesday.

Carsten Grønbech-Jensen said “geopolitical challenges”, including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, mean Denmark cannot afford to “stand in a corner” with other traditionally thrifty EU countries during negotiations over the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

His comments come after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s announcement earlier this month that Copenhagen would abandon the so-called “frugal four” alliance of member states, which also includes Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands.