NATO weighs Arctic security response to US president’s remarks
: Greenland is turning to its NATO allies to prevent US President Donald Trump from seizing control of the region after days of escalating disputes over its sovereignty, ahead of a meeting in Washington to discuss sharp differences.
NATO leaders are taking new steps to increase security in the Arctic against Russia and China and displaying a show of “collective defence” following Trump’s claims that highlight differences of opinion on the future of the alliance.
In another provocative statement about security, Trump declared that a U.S. withdrawal from NATO would “save a lot of money” and said he doubted any of the allies would help the U.S. in emergencies, even though it was included in the terms of the agreement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt in the US capital on Wednesday.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who took a firm stance before this meeting, published a statement on social media early Tuesday (AEDT) to highlight that any security testing of the region was a problem for NATO.
“Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and, through the Commonwealth, part of NATO,” he said.
“This means that our security and defense belong to NATO, this is a basic and solid line.
“There has been a lot of international interest in our country in recent years. There is also in NATO. This in itself is positive. Our country has strategic importance and our security is also important. For us. For our allies. And for stability in the Arctic.”
The statement included a photograph of the prime minister and all members of the ruling coalition outside parliament in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
The statement underlines membership in the Danish nation, contradicting calls from others in parliament, such as Naleraq party leader Pele Broberg, for a swift move to sever ties with Copenhagen and form a separate defense pact with America.
Greenlanders told this thread they are worried about conflict over their future because Trump has not ruled out using force to take their land, but some have ruled out military action to force the issue.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently warned that any move towards Greenland would threaten the NATO alliance, the basic agreement between the United States, European countries and Canada to maintain security since 1949.
Trump gave mixed signals about NATO during questioning from Air Force One reporters on Sunday, saying he “saved” the alliance by getting European countries to spend 5 percent of their economic output on defense.
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland and I won’t allow it,” he said.
“I’d love to make a deal with them, it’s easier, but we’ll get Greenland one way or another.”
Asked whether this would endanger NATO, he said the US leaving the alliance would “save a lot of money.”
“I love NATO. If we needed NATO, would they be with us? I’m not sure they would be,” he said.
European leaders have discussed stepping up military operations in the region to send a signal to the United States, according to Reuters and several other media outlets reporting on the discussion about a joint operation called Arctic Sentry.
Although NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte did not criticize Trump and his words about Greenland, he said that the leaders talked about new steps to be taken in the North Pole.
“All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security, because we know that with the opening of sea lanes there is a risk that the Russians and Chinese will be more active,” Rutte said at a press conference in Croatia. he said.
“As an alliance, along with our seven Arctic allies, we must work together to ensure that the Arctic remains safe. And we are currently discussing the next step to do so.”
The seven Arctic allies in NATO are the United States, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark (and therefore Greenland).
The United States has a missile defense base in the far north of Greenland, a remnant of tracking stations established during World War II.
International Institute for Strategic StudiesThe United States can expand military operations if it wishes under existing agreements with Denmark and Greenland, an independent group based in London and Washington said on Monday.
“There is nothing under current treaty arrangements that prevents the United States from increasing its military presence in Greenland,” said IISS senior researcher Charlie Edwards.
He said an agreement on Greenland based on consultation and consent could improve security, but warned that division would weaken security.
The US Congress has not supported Trump’s approach to Greenland, and the Associated Press reported that a bipartisan Congressional delegation will travel to Copenhagen this week to demonstrate unity on the issue.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who ran for vice president in 2016, said Sunday that Congress will block Trump and his team from taking military action on Greenland.
“I think Congress will stop both Democrats and Republicans.” he told CBS.
“That would be a disaster. It wouldn’t just be America First. It wouldn’t just be the end of NATO, it would just be America.”
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