Denmark is ready to welcome U.S. troops onto its own soil as part of a new defense agreement between the two countries, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has confirmed.

The news comes amid growing concerns that Russia could soon invade Ukraine, with Western nations slamming Russia's decision to send more than 100,000 of its own troops to the Ukrainian border recently. Meanwhile Russia has been critical of NATO's attempts to increase its military presence in eastern Europe, which it sees as a clear threat to its security.

NATO member Denmark has become a close ally to the U.S. over recent decades, having fought alongside them in Iraq, with both nations ready to renew a military partnership again.

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Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Frederiksen said, "The U.S. has reached out to Denmark, proposing a bilateral defense cooperation."

"Such a deal between the U.S. and Denmark opens the door to new forms of cooperation and to military activities in a certain number of fields in Denmark.

"This will depend on the upcoming discussions with the U.S. but that could include the presence of American soldiers, material and military equipment on Danish soil."

While Frederiksen denies that the discussions over a new deal were a result of the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, she did add that it was a timely reminder.

"The crisis over Ukraine and Ukraine's borders is not the reason for this, but at the same time, the situation in Ukraine is a very clear reminder that we cannot take our liberty, peace and security for granted," she said.

Meanwhile, Denmark's defense minister Morten Bodskov added: "NATO and the U.S. are guarantors of our security. That is why we join forces with the U.S. when Western values such as democracy and freedom are under threat."