Russia has threatened to target Denmark’s warships with nuclear weapons if the Scandinavian nation becomes a member of Nato’s missile defence shield.

In comments which have been met with anger in Copenhagen, the Russian ambassador to Denmark said a move towards better integration with the Western alliance would make it a “threat to Russia”, and that it would have to accept the consequences.

Mikhail Vanin told the told Jyllands-Posten newspaper: “I do not think that the Danes fully understand the consequences if Denmark joins the US-led missile defence shield. If that happens, Danish warships become targets for Russian nuclear missiles.”

According to a translation by the Copenhagen Post, Vanin added that while such a move would be “Denmark’s decision”, “relations with Russia will be damaged” and it would “lose both money and security”.

The threat comes amid a backdrop of heightened tension across eastern Europe, as last night David Cameron and other EU leaders agreed to extend sanctions against Russia until the terms of a Ukraine ceasefire agreement are met.

And Martin Lidegaard, the Danish foreign minister, denounced the Russian diplomat’s use of threats.

“This is obviously unacceptable,” he said. “Russia knows very well that Nato’s missile defence system is defensive. We disagree with Russia on many important things, but it is important that the tone between us remains as positive as possible.”

British official arriving in Brussels yesterday prepared to put forward Mr Cameron’s plan for a £20 million fund designed to help strengthen democratic institutions across states that could be under immediate threat of intimidation from the Kremlin.

“The long-term interest for the UK is that we see strong and stable states on the borders of Eastern Europe,” one official said. “It is a long-term investment to prevent the next Ukraine.”

9 controversial Putin quotes Show all 9 1 /9 9 controversial Putin quotes 9 controversial Putin quotes 2004 “Anyone who doesn't regret the passing of the Soviet Union has no heart. Anyone who wants it restored has no brains.” Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes December 2005 “There is no such thing as a former KGB man.” Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes G8 Summit press conference 2008 “If you want to become an Islamic fundamentalist and be circumcised, come to Moscow. We are multiconfessional. We have very good specialists. I can recommend one for the operation. He'll make sure nothing grows back.” Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes 2010 “Russia doesn't negotiate with terrorists. It destroys them.” After the Moscow Metro bomb Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes September 2013 “They say that Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a homosexual. Truth be told, we don’t love him because of that, but he was a great musician, and we all love his music. So what?” Interview with Associated Press Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes March 2014 “The West’s leaders seem, from what they say, entirely to have forgotten that there are some leaders in the world who want to conquer other countries.” Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes 2014 Amazingly elaborate metaphor regarding the West and Russia “[Sometimes I think] our bear should probably just sit quietly and just eat honey instead of hunting animals, maybe then they will leave the bear in peace, but, no, they will not. What they are trying to do is chain the bear, and when they chain the bear they will take out his fangs and claws. This is how nuclear deterrence is working at the moment. If they take out the bear’s fangs and claws, then the bear will not be able to do anything. It will just be a stuffed animal.” Russian President’s annual press conference Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes 2014 After Ksenia Sobchack, a well-known anti-Kremlin activist and journalist, was allowed to ask a question about Putin’s government suppressing opposing political viewpoints: “Why did you give her the floor?” Russian President’s annual press conference Getty images 9 controversial Putin quotes January 2014 “You can feel relaxed and calm [in Russia], but leave children alone, please.” Directed at gay people in January 2014, before the Sochi Winter Olympics Getty images

In the Baltics, fears of an attack ordered by Vladimir Putin have escalated to the point where Lithuania – which doesn’t even have a land border with mainland Russia – has introduced military conscription.

Between Lithuania and Russia lies Belarus –headed by pro-Russian President Aleksander Lukashenko. It supports Russian bases, which have been bolstering their numbers in recent weeks.

Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite said it was a “necessity” for the country to pass a bill allowing conscription to bolster its army of just 15,000.