dpa | Better Denmark than the USA: Greenland’s head of government Jens-Frederik Nielsen has made it clear that Greenland does not want to belong to the USA under any circumstances. “If we have to choose between the USA and Denmark, then we choose Denmark,” Nielsen said at a joint press conference with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Frederiksen emphasized that it had not been easy to withstand the “totally unacceptable pressure from our closest allies”. But you can’t push boundaries with power. And you can’t buy a population, she emphasized. However, she warned: “The hardest part is still ahead of us.” There are currently many signs of this.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wants to meet with US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington this Wednesday US claims on the island speak. The Greenland Minister responsible for foreign policy, Vivian Motzfeldt, is also expected to take part in the meeting. Greenland, with around 57,000 inhabitants, is largely autonomous, but officially belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland and Denmark had requested the interview.
Nielsen is looking for solidarity with Denmark
It was initially unclear whether the direct talks would bring about relaxation. The situation is very serious and the pressure on the Greenlandic population is extremely high, said Nielsen. But you stand with Denmark. You go into the conversation together and leave it together.
US President Donald Trump has again threatened to annex Greenland in recent days, citing national security interests. He recently made it clear that he is interested in long-term ownership of Greenland. “We’re talking about acquisition, not leasing,” he said. Trump repeatedly justifies the territorial claim by saying that otherwise China or Russia would annex the island. He also referred to the strategic importance of the island and Greenland’s mineral resources. The White House recently even expressly did not rule out military deployment.
Denmark and Greenland have vehemently rejected Trump’s claims of ownership for weeks with the support of numerous European partners – including Germany. If one NATO country attacks another, then everything stops, Denmark’s Prime Minister Frederiksen said. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and is part of NATO. The Arctic island was a Danish colony until 1953 and is now largely autonomous. However, Denmark remains responsible for security and defense policy.
NATO wants to expand its presence in the Arctic
Several NATO states such as Great Britain had recently spoken out in favor of expanding the alliance’s presence in the Arctic. According to diplomats, one proposal envisages a surveillance operation called “Arctic Sentry”. It is intended to take away the Americans’ argument that security in the strategically important region cannot be adequately guaranteed. The plans for a stronger alliance presence in the Arctic are supported by Germany and Great Britain, among others.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) assumes that the USA will participate in a stronger NATO presence around Greenland. “We share American concerns that this part of Denmark needs to be better protected,” said Merz during his visit to India. “We simply want to improve the security situation for Greenland together. And I assume that the Americans will also take part in this.”
To what extent – “the discussions in the next few days and weeks will show,” said Merz. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has just had one Willingness for Germany to make a greater contribution to military security in the Arctic explained.
The Bundeswehr could take part
According to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), NATO states are examining increased joint protection of the Arctic region around Greenland. “It’s about surveillance, it’s about patrols, it’s about seeing what’s happening under water, above water and in the air. It’s about – as I said – education and it’s about regular practice on site to show that we are there,” said the SD politician during a visit to EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas in Berlin.
Some NATO partners are in the process of discussing and exploring together with NATO which measures make sense and what is necessary, said Pistorius. But it was too early to talk about concrete steps, the minister replied to the question of whether there were plans for a joint NATO mission to secure the Arctic region. “We agree that security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic can only be achieved multilaterally and only together,” said Pistorius.