Greenland, Denmark Urge Quick Talks With US After Renewed Claims on Island
COPENHAGEN: Greenland and Denmark on Tuesday called for a quick meeting with Washington’s top diplomat following President Donald Trump’s renewed claims to self-governing Danish territory.
The U.S. military intervention in Venezuela has reignited Trump’s long-standing plans for the autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic, which has undiscovered rare earth deposits and could be a vital player when melting polar ice opens new shipping routes.
Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt wrote on social media that Denmark and Greenland requested a quick meeting with the US Secretary of State to “discuss the important statement the US made about Greenland.”
“Although the Greenlandic and Danish governments have requested a ministerial meeting during 2025, it has not been possible for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with the Greenlandic government so far,” he added.
Previously, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen once again emphasized that the island is not for sale and that only Greenlanders should decide the future of the island.
His comments came after Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain joined Denmark in saying they would defend “universal principles” such as “sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders”.
“This support is important at a time when fundamental international principles are being challenged,” Nielsen wrote on social media. “I would like to express my deepest gratitude for this support.
“At a time when the US President has once again stated that the US is very serious about Greenland, this support from our NATO allies is both important and decisive.”
Washington already has a military base in Greenland, home to about 57,000 people.
Trump hinted on Sunday that a decision on Greenland could come “in about two months” once the situation in Venezuela becomes less urgent.
– ‘The record was broken’ –
Arctic security is a “major priority” for the continent and “critical” for international and transatlantic security, European leaders said in a joint statement.
Adding that Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, the report called for a collective approach alongside the United States on the security of the polar region.
The declaration was signed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
“It belongs to the people of Greenland. It is up to Denmark and Greenland alone to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement said. The statement was included.
Nielsen reiterated his call for the United States to engage in “respectful dialogue through appropriate diplomatic and political channels and through the use of existing forums based on existing agreements with the United States.”
“Such a dialogue must take place while respecting the fact that Greenland’s status is based on international law and the principle of territorial integrity.”
Marc Jacobsen, an expert on security, politics and diplomacy in the Arctic at the Royal Danish Defense College, said Trump’s rhetoric on Greenland has not changed since he first floated the idea of annexation.
“It’s like a broken record… You might think he (Trump) doesn’t really understand what Denmark and Greenland are saying,” he told AFP.
While Trump has claimed that Denmark cannot ensure the security of Greenland, Copenhagen has invested heavily in the sector, forking out nearly 90 billion kroner ($14 billion) last year.
