Denmark, Greenland set for high-stake talks at White House
By AFP
January 13, 2026
Nuuk, Greenland - Copyright AFP/File Odd ANDERSEN
Camille BAS-WOHLERT
Danish and Greenlandic officials will hold high-stake talks about Greenland’s future on Wednesday at the White House with US Vice President JD Vance, who has accused Denmark of neglecting its autonomous territory.
US President Donald Trump has been talking up the idea of buying or annexing the Arctic territory for years, and further stoked tensions this week by saying the United States would take it “one way or the other”.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday that he and his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt, had requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vance had asked to take part and host it at the White House.
After Trump made repeated statements in early 2025 about wanting to take over Greenland, Vance announced he was making an uninvited visit to the Arctic island in March.
Following an angry outcry in Denmark and Greenland, he ended up limiting his visit to the US Pituffik military base in northwestern Greenland.
During his stay — which only lasted several hours — he slammed Denmark for what he said was a lack of commitment to Greenland and security in the Arctic, and called it a “bad ally”.
The remarks enraged Copenhagen, which has been an ardent trans-Atlantic supporter and which has sent troops to fight US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“On the contrary, the United States should thank Denmark, which over the years has been a very loyal ally,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recalled on Sunday.
– ‘Misunderstandings’ –
For Nuuk and Copenhagen, Wednesday’s meeting at the White House is aimed at ironing out “misunderstandings”.
These relate to Greenland’s defence, the Chinese and military presence in the Arctic, and the relationship between Greenland and Copenhagen, which together with the Faroe Islands make up the Kingdom of Denmark.
“To the uninformed American listener, the ongoing talks between Denmark and Greenland might have been construed as if Greenland’s secession from Denmark was imminent,” said Greenland specialist Mikaela Engell.
For these listeners, “I can understand that, in this situation, it would be better for the Americans to take hold of that strategic place”, the former Danish representative on the island told AFP.
But this “discussion has been going on for years and years and it has never meant that Greenland was on its way out the door”, she stressed.
Washington has accused Copenhagen of doing little to protect Greenland from what it says is the threat posed by China and Russia.
Denmark’s government rejects that argument and recently recalled that it has invested almost 90 billion kroner ($14 billion) to beef up its military presence in the Arctic.
Denmark’s foreign minister said the reason Copenhagen and Nuuk had requested Wednesday’s meeting was “to move the entire discussion… into a meeting room, where you can look each other in the eye and talk through these issues”.
He will be heading to Washington with Greenlandic counterpart Motzfeldt, who will also join Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen in a meeting with NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte on January 19 to discuss Arctic security.
Denmark and Greenland have made it clear they are counting on NATO for the island’s defence.
“We are now moving forward with the whole issue of a more permanent, larger presence in Greenland from the Danish defence forces but also with the participation of other countries,” Lund Poulsen told the press.
Rutte said on Monday the NATO alliance was working on “the next steps” to bolster Arctic security.
Diplomats at NATO say some Alliance members have floated the idea of launching a new mission in the region, although no concrete proposals are yet on the table.
By AFP
January 13, 2026
Nuuk, Greenland - Copyright AFP/File Odd ANDERSEN
Camille BAS-WOHLERT
Danish and Greenlandic officials will hold high-stake talks about Greenland’s future on Wednesday at the White House with US Vice President JD Vance, who has accused Denmark of neglecting its autonomous territory.
US President Donald Trump has been talking up the idea of buying or annexing the Arctic territory for years, and further stoked tensions this week by saying the United States would take it “one way or the other”.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday that he and his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt, had requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vance had asked to take part and host it at the White House.
After Trump made repeated statements in early 2025 about wanting to take over Greenland, Vance announced he was making an uninvited visit to the Arctic island in March.
Following an angry outcry in Denmark and Greenland, he ended up limiting his visit to the US Pituffik military base in northwestern Greenland.
During his stay — which only lasted several hours — he slammed Denmark for what he said was a lack of commitment to Greenland and security in the Arctic, and called it a “bad ally”.
The remarks enraged Copenhagen, which has been an ardent trans-Atlantic supporter and which has sent troops to fight US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“On the contrary, the United States should thank Denmark, which over the years has been a very loyal ally,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recalled on Sunday.
– ‘Misunderstandings’ –
For Nuuk and Copenhagen, Wednesday’s meeting at the White House is aimed at ironing out “misunderstandings”.
These relate to Greenland’s defence, the Chinese and military presence in the Arctic, and the relationship between Greenland and Copenhagen, which together with the Faroe Islands make up the Kingdom of Denmark.
“To the uninformed American listener, the ongoing talks between Denmark and Greenland might have been construed as if Greenland’s secession from Denmark was imminent,” said Greenland specialist Mikaela Engell.
For these listeners, “I can understand that, in this situation, it would be better for the Americans to take hold of that strategic place”, the former Danish representative on the island told AFP.
But this “discussion has been going on for years and years and it has never meant that Greenland was on its way out the door”, she stressed.
Washington has accused Copenhagen of doing little to protect Greenland from what it says is the threat posed by China and Russia.
Denmark’s government rejects that argument and recently recalled that it has invested almost 90 billion kroner ($14 billion) to beef up its military presence in the Arctic.
Denmark’s foreign minister said the reason Copenhagen and Nuuk had requested Wednesday’s meeting was “to move the entire discussion… into a meeting room, where you can look each other in the eye and talk through these issues”.
He will be heading to Washington with Greenlandic counterpart Motzfeldt, who will also join Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen in a meeting with NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte on January 19 to discuss Arctic security.
Denmark and Greenland have made it clear they are counting on NATO for the island’s defence.
“We are now moving forward with the whole issue of a more permanent, larger presence in Greenland from the Danish defence forces but also with the participation of other countries,” Lund Poulsen told the press.
Rutte said on Monday the NATO alliance was working on “the next steps” to bolster Arctic security.
Diplomats at NATO say some Alliance members have floated the idea of launching a new mission in the region, although no concrete proposals are yet on the table.
Nuuk, Copenhagen cautiously mull Greenland independence
By AFP
January 13, 2026
The Greenlandic flag over Tivoli Castle in Copenhagen, on January 8 - Copyright AFP STRINGER
Camille BAS-WOHLERT, with Jonathan KLEIN in Nuuk
Denmark’s self-governing territory Greenland hopes to cut all ties with Copenhagen but leaders are proceeding cautiously with independence plans despite US President Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Arctic island.
Trump has repeatedly claimed the United States needs Greenland for its national security, while Denmark and Greenland have stressed the island is not for sale and that Greenlanders themselves must decide their own future.
“We have an agreement with our Greenland fellow citizens that they decide their future in freedom, based on their own assessments and their own will,” Danish historian and former diplomat Bo Lidegaard told AFP.
“For us, it’s a violation of everything we stand for, and everything we have agreed with the Greenlanders, if that decision is not taken in freedom and without coercion.”
It is therefore out of the question to succumb to US pressure and “sell” a territory that has repeatedly said it does not want to be bought.
For Denmark, it is also out of the question to hold onto the vast Arctic island at any cost.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, gaining home rule 26 years later.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called Greenland’s independence drive “both legitimate and understandable” but stressed that she herself wants to develop the Danish kingdom, which in addition to Greenland also includes the Faroe Islands.
“In modern times in the Nordic countries, if a territory wants to secede and become independent, it must be authorised to do so,” Ole Waever, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen, told AFP.
“Whether it was Norway in 1905 (which broke free of a union with Sweden) or Iceland in 1944 (which declared independence from Denmark), there has never been a civil war,” he stressed.
– ‘Very difficult’ –
In the streets of Copenhagen, Danes are fine with the idea of Greenland separating from Denmark as soon as it feels ready.
“It’s okay for them to be independent,” said Charlotte Moltke, a 68-year-old pensioner.
“But I think it will be very difficult for such a small country for the time being … on their own, when they know a big country like the US wants them,” she added.
A roadmap for Greenland’s independence was laid out in a 2009 Self-Government Act adopted by the Danish parliament.
“We are smarter than the Brits. We don’t do a Brexit and then afterwards try to find out what it means. The arrangement is clear,” smiled Waever.
Article 21 of the act stipulates that if the Greenlandic people decide to seek independence, negotiations must begin between the governments in Nuuk and Copenhagen.
At the heart of the thorny talks would be the question of the subsidies that Denmark gives Greenland each year — currently some 4.5 billion kroner ($703 million), equivalent to around a fifth of Greenland’s GDP.
Any independence agreement reached between Copenhagen and Nuuk has to be approved by both parliaments and endorsed by a referendum in Greenland, according to the act.
– Fragile economy –
A major question mark for a sovereign Greenland would be its economy.
The island is almost entirely dependent on fisheries and, like other European countries, will have to contend with the consequences of an ageing population, according to a recent report from Denmark’s central bank.
“I don’t think they’re in a place where they can be economically independent. But if they want to try, sure, go for it. It’s not up to us to decide,” said Joachim Ziegler, a 24-year-old student.
While a large majority of Greenlanders are in favour of independence, most do not support the idea of a swift secession.
This is even though the sole opposition party, Naleraq, campaigned on such a platform in the 2025 legislative elections and won 24.5 percent of votes.
Naleraq has lunged at the opportunity to push for a speedy secession.
“I find it distasteful. What is happening is awful right now and they’re using the situation to get independence,” Inger Olsvig Brandt, an entrepreneur in Nuuk, told AFP.
“I know that of all of us Greenlanders wish to become independent but… they need to make a plan,” she said.
At the political level, the current coalition government, backed by 75 percent of votes in the 2025 election, has been working on a more gradual plan for independence, basing itself on a draft constitution from 2024.
“No self-respecting Greenlandic politicians up until a year ago would state that he would rather stay within the Kingdom of Denmark and it’s very difficult to go back,” said Mikaela Engell, a Greenland specialist and former Danish representative on the island.
“But it’s first an internal discussion in Greenland,” she said.
By AFP
January 13, 2026
The Greenlandic flag over Tivoli Castle in Copenhagen, on January 8 - Copyright AFP STRINGER
Camille BAS-WOHLERT, with Jonathan KLEIN in Nuuk
Denmark’s self-governing territory Greenland hopes to cut all ties with Copenhagen but leaders are proceeding cautiously with independence plans despite US President Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Arctic island.
Trump has repeatedly claimed the United States needs Greenland for its national security, while Denmark and Greenland have stressed the island is not for sale and that Greenlanders themselves must decide their own future.
“We have an agreement with our Greenland fellow citizens that they decide their future in freedom, based on their own assessments and their own will,” Danish historian and former diplomat Bo Lidegaard told AFP.
“For us, it’s a violation of everything we stand for, and everything we have agreed with the Greenlanders, if that decision is not taken in freedom and without coercion.”
It is therefore out of the question to succumb to US pressure and “sell” a territory that has repeatedly said it does not want to be bought.
For Denmark, it is also out of the question to hold onto the vast Arctic island at any cost.
Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, gaining home rule 26 years later.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called Greenland’s independence drive “both legitimate and understandable” but stressed that she herself wants to develop the Danish kingdom, which in addition to Greenland also includes the Faroe Islands.
“In modern times in the Nordic countries, if a territory wants to secede and become independent, it must be authorised to do so,” Ole Waever, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen, told AFP.
“Whether it was Norway in 1905 (which broke free of a union with Sweden) or Iceland in 1944 (which declared independence from Denmark), there has never been a civil war,” he stressed.
– ‘Very difficult’ –
In the streets of Copenhagen, Danes are fine with the idea of Greenland separating from Denmark as soon as it feels ready.
“It’s okay for them to be independent,” said Charlotte Moltke, a 68-year-old pensioner.
“But I think it will be very difficult for such a small country for the time being … on their own, when they know a big country like the US wants them,” she added.
A roadmap for Greenland’s independence was laid out in a 2009 Self-Government Act adopted by the Danish parliament.
“We are smarter than the Brits. We don’t do a Brexit and then afterwards try to find out what it means. The arrangement is clear,” smiled Waever.
Article 21 of the act stipulates that if the Greenlandic people decide to seek independence, negotiations must begin between the governments in Nuuk and Copenhagen.
At the heart of the thorny talks would be the question of the subsidies that Denmark gives Greenland each year — currently some 4.5 billion kroner ($703 million), equivalent to around a fifth of Greenland’s GDP.
Any independence agreement reached between Copenhagen and Nuuk has to be approved by both parliaments and endorsed by a referendum in Greenland, according to the act.
– Fragile economy –
A major question mark for a sovereign Greenland would be its economy.
The island is almost entirely dependent on fisheries and, like other European countries, will have to contend with the consequences of an ageing population, according to a recent report from Denmark’s central bank.
“I don’t think they’re in a place where they can be economically independent. But if they want to try, sure, go for it. It’s not up to us to decide,” said Joachim Ziegler, a 24-year-old student.
While a large majority of Greenlanders are in favour of independence, most do not support the idea of a swift secession.
This is even though the sole opposition party, Naleraq, campaigned on such a platform in the 2025 legislative elections and won 24.5 percent of votes.
Naleraq has lunged at the opportunity to push for a speedy secession.
“I find it distasteful. What is happening is awful right now and they’re using the situation to get independence,” Inger Olsvig Brandt, an entrepreneur in Nuuk, told AFP.
“I know that of all of us Greenlanders wish to become independent but… they need to make a plan,” she said.
At the political level, the current coalition government, backed by 75 percent of votes in the 2025 election, has been working on a more gradual plan for independence, basing itself on a draft constitution from 2024.
“No self-respecting Greenlandic politicians up until a year ago would state that he would rather stay within the Kingdom of Denmark and it’s very difficult to go back,” said Mikaela Engell, a Greenland specialist and former Danish representative on the island.
“But it’s first an internal discussion in Greenland,” she said.
Is China a threat to Greenland as Trump argues?
By AFP
January 13, 2026
Copyright Ritzau Scanpix/AFP Emil Stach
Sam DAVIES
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take Greenland by force from NATO ally Denmark in order to keep the Arctic island from Beijing’s hands.
But analysts suggested China is a small player in the Arctic region, and thus far from the threat Trump has argued.
Here is what we know about Beijing’s presence in the region:
– Covered with Chinese ships? –
Despite Trump’s claim that, without US intervention, Greenland would have “Chinese destroyers and submarines all over the place”, Beijing’s Arctic military presence is underwhelming.
“Greenland is not swarming with Chinese and Russian vessels. This is nonsense,” said to Paal Sigurd Hilde at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies.
In other parts of the Arctic, China’s modest military presence has grown in collaboration with Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“China’s only pathway to gaining significant influence in the Arctic goes through Russia,” Hilde said.
The two countries have increased joint Arctic and coast guard operations, including a 2024 bomber patrol near Alaska.
China also operates a handful of icebreakers equipped with deep-sea mini-submarines, which could map the seabed — potentially useful for military deployment — and satellites for Arctic observation.
Beijing says they are for scientific research.
– Is China’s influence growing? –
These activities are “potential security concerns if China’s military or military-linked assets establish a regular presence in the region”, said Helena Legarda at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin.
“China has clear ambitions to expand its footprint and influence in the region, which it considers… an emerging arena for geopolitical competition,” she said.
Beijing launched the Polar Silk Road project in 2018 — the Arctic arm of its transnational Belt and Road infrastructure initiative — and aims to become a “polar great power” by 2030.
It has established scientific research stations in Iceland and Norway, while Chinese firms have invested in projects like Russian liquefied natural gas and a Swedish railway line.
Competition with China for resources and access to trade routes in the Arctic could threaten European interests, Legarda said.
Recently, however, China has faced pushback. Proposals to buy an abandoned naval station in Greenland and an airport in Finland have failed.
The US reportedly pressured nations to reject Chinese companies. In 2019, Greenland opted against using China’s Huawei for its 5G networks.
Russia remains the exception, with China investing heavily in resources and ports along Russia’s northern coast.
– What is China seeking? –
Greenland has the world’s eighth-largest rare earth reserves, elements vital for technologies including electric vehicles and military equipment, according the US Geological Survey.
While China dominates global production of these critical materials, its attempts to tap Greenland’s resources have seen limited success.
A Chinese-linked project at a massive deposit in Kvanefjeld was halted by the Greenland government in 2021 over environmental concerns, while another deposit in southern Greenland was sold to a New York-based firm in 2024 after US lobbying.
“There was a fear in Denmark and the US that mining investments several times the GDP of Greenland could have led to Chinese influence a decade ago, but the investments never materialised,” said Jesper Willaing Zeuthen, associate professor at Aalborg University.
More recently, “Beijing discourages engagement, because the diplomatic costs have been too high”.
– Transforming shipping routes –
The Polar Silk Road aims to link China to Europe via Arctic routes increasingly accessible as warming temperatures melt Arctic sea ice.
China and Russia agreed in October to develop the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russia’s northern border.
Last year, a Chinese ship reached Britain in 20 days via the Arctic, half the time of the regular Suez Canal route.
The passage could transform global shipping and reduce Chinese reliance on the Straits of Malacca for its trade.
But ships have to be modified to travel through ice, fog makes navigation difficult, and the weather is extreme.
Chinese ships made just 14 NSR voyages last year, mostly carrying Russian gas.
Another possible route — the Northwest Passage — follows the Canadian archipelago, potentially mitigating the risks of a Russian and Chinese-dominated northern passage.
The NSR does not pass by Greenland, so it is not the source for Trump’s claim of Chinese ships prowling the island’s coastline.
Zeuthen maintains there is no sign of Chinese military activity in or around the Arctic part of Greenland.
“Actual security issues are very hard to identify,” he said.
By AFP
January 13, 2026
Copyright Ritzau Scanpix/AFP Emil Stach
Sam DAVIES
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take Greenland by force from NATO ally Denmark in order to keep the Arctic island from Beijing’s hands.
But analysts suggested China is a small player in the Arctic region, and thus far from the threat Trump has argued.
Here is what we know about Beijing’s presence in the region:
– Covered with Chinese ships? –
Despite Trump’s claim that, without US intervention, Greenland would have “Chinese destroyers and submarines all over the place”, Beijing’s Arctic military presence is underwhelming.
“Greenland is not swarming with Chinese and Russian vessels. This is nonsense,” said to Paal Sigurd Hilde at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies.
In other parts of the Arctic, China’s modest military presence has grown in collaboration with Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“China’s only pathway to gaining significant influence in the Arctic goes through Russia,” Hilde said.
The two countries have increased joint Arctic and coast guard operations, including a 2024 bomber patrol near Alaska.
China also operates a handful of icebreakers equipped with deep-sea mini-submarines, which could map the seabed — potentially useful for military deployment — and satellites for Arctic observation.
Beijing says they are for scientific research.
– Is China’s influence growing? –
These activities are “potential security concerns if China’s military or military-linked assets establish a regular presence in the region”, said Helena Legarda at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin.
“China has clear ambitions to expand its footprint and influence in the region, which it considers… an emerging arena for geopolitical competition,” she said.
Beijing launched the Polar Silk Road project in 2018 — the Arctic arm of its transnational Belt and Road infrastructure initiative — and aims to become a “polar great power” by 2030.
It has established scientific research stations in Iceland and Norway, while Chinese firms have invested in projects like Russian liquefied natural gas and a Swedish railway line.
Competition with China for resources and access to trade routes in the Arctic could threaten European interests, Legarda said.
Recently, however, China has faced pushback. Proposals to buy an abandoned naval station in Greenland and an airport in Finland have failed.
The US reportedly pressured nations to reject Chinese companies. In 2019, Greenland opted against using China’s Huawei for its 5G networks.
Russia remains the exception, with China investing heavily in resources and ports along Russia’s northern coast.
– What is China seeking? –
Greenland has the world’s eighth-largest rare earth reserves, elements vital for technologies including electric vehicles and military equipment, according the US Geological Survey.
While China dominates global production of these critical materials, its attempts to tap Greenland’s resources have seen limited success.
A Chinese-linked project at a massive deposit in Kvanefjeld was halted by the Greenland government in 2021 over environmental concerns, while another deposit in southern Greenland was sold to a New York-based firm in 2024 after US lobbying.
“There was a fear in Denmark and the US that mining investments several times the GDP of Greenland could have led to Chinese influence a decade ago, but the investments never materialised,” said Jesper Willaing Zeuthen, associate professor at Aalborg University.
More recently, “Beijing discourages engagement, because the diplomatic costs have been too high”.
– Transforming shipping routes –
The Polar Silk Road aims to link China to Europe via Arctic routes increasingly accessible as warming temperatures melt Arctic sea ice.
China and Russia agreed in October to develop the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along Russia’s northern border.
Last year, a Chinese ship reached Britain in 20 days via the Arctic, half the time of the regular Suez Canal route.
The passage could transform global shipping and reduce Chinese reliance on the Straits of Malacca for its trade.
But ships have to be modified to travel through ice, fog makes navigation difficult, and the weather is extreme.
Chinese ships made just 14 NSR voyages last year, mostly carrying Russian gas.
Another possible route — the Northwest Passage — follows the Canadian archipelago, potentially mitigating the risks of a Russian and Chinese-dominated northern passage.
The NSR does not pass by Greenland, so it is not the source for Trump’s claim of Chinese ships prowling the island’s coastline.
Zeuthen maintains there is no sign of Chinese military activity in or around the Arctic part of Greenland.
“Actual security issues are very hard to identify,” he said.
The Empire strikes back: Greenland and the death of the rules-based order
Today
Left Foot Forward
Trump’s designs on Greenland mark a turning point when we must finally accept the death of respect for international sovereignty and the law
Left Foot Forward
Trump’s designs on Greenland mark a turning point when we must finally accept the death of respect for international sovereignty and the law
Greenland, though beautiful, has a Falklands feel. This land, so feted by Trump, is largely empty and freezing, with a population around the size of Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Yet it has suddenly become the key actor in a drama about the death throes of the post-war rules-based order and our forced return to a world of imperialist hegemony, dominated by three super-powers: Russia, China and the US.
The democracy habit
The rules-based order has functioned, despite creaking fractures of corruption within its democracies, for long enough for us to have become complacent. The leader of the free world going rogue, like sudden severe illness, or the car engine exploding, maybe could have been foreseen. But as we didn’t look below the surface, the change feels shocking and disorientating.
Complacency explains our lack of preparation for ‘surprises’ like the Covid pandemic and Trump going berserk. Europe skipped the training day simulation where we put on our imperialist expansion goggles to see how the world might look. If we’d set the ‘rogue state’ dial to ‘US’ and observed the western hemisphere draped in its flag, how we’d have laughed – back then.
Imperialist bullies
To understand this new reality, we have to grasp the bully mindset driving imperialist expansionism. Trump’s administration follows the infantile presumption that ‘if I want x’ then ‘x is mine’. They have no concept at all of independent sovereignty. Once they decide that a geographically close country has desirable assets, then, ipso facto, it’s essentially theirs. Hence, from the imperialist standpoint, no justification is needed for grabbing Greenland. Its proximity and resources are sufficient reason for acquisition. Stephen Miller and Donald Trump spoke with incredulity that anyone could fail to see that Greenland, as an asset in their global patch, rightfully should be theirs.
Europe has issued a joint rebuke to Trump for his claims on Greenland. But, in line with the bully mindset, the Trump regime doesn’t care a jot. Aside from the sheer pleasure of expansion, they enjoy the mewling of ‘woke’ Europe in protest against the theft of its member countries. Part of the bully’s game is pleasure in reminding onlookers of their helplessness.
When, as is likely, Trump takes Greenland, it may be incremental. He could simply increase US troops, lower the Danish flag, and then re-name it ‘Trumplandia: Ice Paradise’ on Google maps. Job done.
Trump to the rescue
To achieve this expansionist aim, the Trump regime is already exploiting Greenland’s movement for independence from Denmark. During his 2025 visit, JD Vance spun the line that only by switching to some kind of bilateral agreement with the US would Greenlanders acquire true sovereignty and self-determination.
In return for this ostensibly ‘democratic’ move, the US can mine Greenland for oil and minerals whilst basking in the kudos of having successfully re-claimed a chunk of its ‘rightful territory’. Greenland’s leaders won’t find out until after the deal is done that, like Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s new Trump-imposed interim leader, they’ll have to roll over and do Trump’s bidding.
Since Trump sometimes displays a sixth sense that excuses are called for, he may add to this spin the massively dishonest fudge that he’s acquiring Greenland to protect NATO.
Cracking NATO and boosting Russia
Greenland’s independence movement has various advantages for Trump’s administration. It helps to further their actual aim of undermining Europe, but indirectly, by weakening NATO and boosting Russia.
First, sowing further division between Greenlanders on independence will help distract the democratic world by triggering endless media ‘both sides’ debates about ‘where Greenland’s sovereignty really lies’.
Second, with this question posed to the media and to Greenlanders themselves, tiny group though they are, it becomes easier for Trump to spin Denmark’s historic entitlement as a matter of opinion, enabling the US to step in as ‘an equally legitimate but better owner’.
Third, it would enable Europe to save face. Re-defining the power grab as a ‘democratic’ move gives Europe a get out, even if privately no-one believes it, from having to physically go to war over Greenland.
Fourth, taking Greenland would weaken NATO by putting member countries at loggerheads over how to deal with issues like sovereignty, military resistance and responses to Trump.
Fifth, NATO would also be weakened if the US decided to reduce the use of the vital anti-Russia monitoring systems stationed in Greenland.
Sixth, a weakened NATO may attract Greenlanders to the US. With its greater military power, the US could offer more protection against Russia than a NATO-depleted Europe. Since Trump now seems closely allied with Russia, this reasoning is naïve. But it could be part of the US’s sales pitch to Greenlanders. The 2009 “Greenland Self-Government Act” gave Greenlanders the right to self-determination and has a legal Naalakkersuisut to trigger an independence process. If Trump browbeats / bribes Greenlanders into voting to leave Denmark, then Europe has no choice but to accept that outcome.
The body bag issue
Either way, according to Stephen Miller, the world can’t stop the US acquiring Greenland. And he’s right. Europe lacks the military resources needed to challenge the US.
Furthermore, Europe won’t risk creating body bags for a population the size of Banbury. Geopolitics would surely beat principle here.
It’s assumed that Trump’s imperialist intentions won’t be welcomed domestically because they contradict his isolationist election promise. The jury’s still out on how Republicans feel about the Greenland grab. But they support the Venezuelan mission and they’re impressed by Trump’s claim that “we’re going to make a lot of money”. This will get Trump over the line domestically, even if the economic pain kicks in later. But, for now, Republicans see the Venezuela grab as belonging comfortably in the America First project, a view they’ll be encouraged to extend to Greenland.
Also, domestic support for isolationism was a response to significant US military casualties incurred during previous escapades (Iraq, Vietnam). If you remove this risk and replace it with flashy, made-for-TV, ‘super-successful’ abductions and stealthy, incremental land grabs, then the concern dissipates. That Maduro’s abduction caused the deaths of 23 Venezuelans and 32 Cubans hasn’t so far reduced Republican support for US expansionism: body bags are, it seems, ok providing they only contain another country’s citizens.
But why?
Commentators are nevertheless struggling to find adequate motives for Trump’s power grabs. The irony is that re-building Venezuela’s oil industry is an astronomical 10 year project costing tens of billions. Regarding Greenland, Trump already has, or could get, most of the resources he wants there if he just asks nicely. His power grabs are logistically and economically peculiar. So, it’s a puzzle and we have to find further motives.
Acquiring Greenland has been a long-term Trump idea. But, arguably, Trump’s overseas power grabs have been activated at this moment because he can see he’s failing domestically. Since his personality cannot tolerate failure (at all), he has to hide this descent through extravagant displays of success. This is not a calculated distraction but an emotional response, a desperate, wild, big boys club ‘look at me, I’m powerful’ show-off move driven by the macho need to overreach – to push policy, in this case expansion, like a fast car, to the absolute limit of political tolerance and acceptability.
Fighting bears
How should the UK react? Despite fury over Starmer’s unwillingness to criticize Trump, we probably have to accept silence as his only option for keeping the orange despot’s wrath at bay.
Starmer’s reticence can be likened to being trapped by a killer bear: if you try to run you’ll definitely annoy it; if you stand still you’ll probably still annoy it, but there’s a very slim chance you might not. Standing still is a desperate last resort.
But it’s looking like a loser’s game. Note the parallels between Starmer and Maria Machado, exiled Venezuelan opposition leader. Both have heavily flattered a man who responded by throwing them under a bus. Trump has denied Machado the opportunity to step into Maduro’s shoes; his team have also made it clear they want to replace Starmer with Farage at the next election. And they have no compunction about intervening to help bring this about. Starmer is flirting with a man who wants him gone.
Appeasing Trump isn’t likely to halt his Greenland grab, whether it’s sudden or incremental. Nor, more broadly, can Starmer maintain the UK’s traditional role of bridging the European and US parts of the Western Alliance because the alliance no longer exists. He is effectively holding up a bridge on one side only.
Moreover, the worry about Starmer’s reserve, as Raphael Behr notes, is that it might not be a diplomatic cover for essential radical action behind the scenes but just another instance of Starmer’s constitutional reticence – about everything.
The final turning point
Either way, Trump’s Greenland grab symbolises the final turning point, the incontrovertible proof that the US administration has gone fully rogue and we are back in a dog-eat-dog world of imperialist expansionism.
This is terrifying, but we could still do three things: Europe could work fast on gaining as much military, economic and technological independence from the US as possible. European countries could unite and tighten links with other regions (e.g. Canada, India, Australia) to strengthen the democratic, rules-based vision. Finally, the UK media could stop calling those who questioned our relationship to the US all along ‘radical left lunatics’ and, with respect, start listening.
Claire Jones writes and edits for West England Bylines and is co-ordinator for the Oxfordshire branch of the progressive campaign group, Compass
This article is jointly published with West England Bylines.
US lawmakers to visit Denmark as Trump renews threats over Greenland
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will travel to Denmark this week amid escalating tensions over President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom that hosts a US airbase.
Issued on: 13/01/2026 -
By: FRANCE 24
Why it matters
Democratic and Republican lawmakers said last week they expect the US Senate to eventually vote on legislation aimed at reining in Trump’s ability to attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark, a long-standing US ally.
Trump has repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic territory. He has argued that an existing US military presence there is insufficient.
“One way or the other we are going to take Greenland,” Trump has said, while adding that he would prefer to strike a deal with Denmark.
Greenland and Denmark have both said the territory is not for sale, but Trump has not ruled out taking it by force. Denmark and the US, both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the issue.
Context
While Trump has previously floated the idea of taking control of the island, concerns have intensified following his order of a deadly US military raid earlier this month in Venezuela to seize the country’s ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was subsequently taken to New York and remains in custody.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will travel to Denmark this week amid escalating tensions over President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom that hosts a US airbase.
Issued on: 13/01/2026 -
By: FRANCE 24
File photo of the statue of Hans Egede (1686-1758), a Lutheran missionary, overlooking in Nuuk, Greenland, taken on March 9, 2025. © Odd Andersen, AFP
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will visit Denmark this week as President Donald Trump threatens a takeover of Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark that hosts a US airbase.
The delegation will be led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons and will include Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, along with several members of the House of Representatives, Coons’ office said in a statement on Monday.
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers will visit Denmark this week as President Donald Trump threatens a takeover of Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark that hosts a US airbase.
The delegation will be led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons and will include Republican Senator Thom Tillis and Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, along with several members of the House of Representatives, Coons’ office said in a statement on Monday.
Why it matters
Democratic and Republican lawmakers said last week they expect the US Senate to eventually vote on legislation aimed at reining in Trump’s ability to attempt to seize Greenland from Denmark, a long-standing US ally.
Trump has repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic territory. He has argued that an existing US military presence there is insufficient.
“One way or the other we are going to take Greenland,” Trump has said, while adding that he would prefer to strike a deal with Denmark.
Greenland and Denmark have both said the territory is not for sale, but Trump has not ruled out taking it by force. Denmark and the US, both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the issue.
© France 24
01:47
01:47
Key quotes
“As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland,” said Tillis, a member of Trump’s Republican Party.
Trump’s “continued threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and would only weaken our NATO alliance”, Durbin added.
The delegation will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday, according to Coons’ office.
Competing bills
Republican Representative Randy Fine introduced a bill on Monday — the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act — which, if passed, would grant Trump the authority to annex Greenland.
Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez is preparing a competing measure — the Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act — that would block federal funds from being used to finance any effort by Trump to take over Greenland.
“As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland,” said Tillis, a member of Trump’s Republican Party.
Trump’s “continued threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and would only weaken our NATO alliance”, Durbin added.
The delegation will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday, according to Coons’ office.
Competing bills
Republican Representative Randy Fine introduced a bill on Monday — the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act — which, if passed, would grant Trump the authority to annex Greenland.
Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez is preparing a competing measure — the Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act — that would block federal funds from being used to finance any effort by Trump to take over Greenland.
Context
While Trump has previously floated the idea of taking control of the island, concerns have intensified following his order of a deadly US military raid earlier this month in Venezuela to seize the country’s ousted leader, Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was subsequently taken to New York and remains in custody.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
Greenland tells Trump it will not join the US 'under any circumstances'
FILE PHOTO: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomes Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on the day of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomes Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on the day of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo
January 12, 2026
ALTERNET
Greenland is making it clear that it will not, "under any circumstances," accept any offer from the United States to become part of the country or allow President Donald Trump to take control of it, reported The Guardian.
Trump has said that he needs Greenland for national security; however, the U.S. is closer to Russia than Greenland, with just four kilometers separating the nearest Alaska island from Russia.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that they're already at work on bolstering Arctic security.
While Trump has always mentioned the need to purchase Greenland, his top aide, Stephen Miller, told CNN's Jake Tapper that the U.S. would conduct military operations to take over the island, which has 30,000 residents.
Trump also has an interest in the rare-earth minerals on the island, but technology experts said the U.S. wouldn't even begin to uncover them for another decade.
In a Monday statement, Greenland's government said it is "part of the kingdom of Denmark" and “as part of the Danish commonwealth, a member of NATO."
Greenland also said that it would increase its efforts to ensure its defense took place “in the NATO framework."
The Island's ruling coalition “believes Greenland will forever be part of the Western Defence Alliance," and that “all NATO member states, including the US, have a common interest” in Greenland's defense.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
The U.S. has enjoyed a treaty with Greenland since 1951 and has an American Space Force base on the island.
Greenland's government is seeking a diplomatic solution with Trump.
Germany’s former vice-chancellor Robert Habeck penned a column in The Guardian encouraging the European Union begin the process to make Greenland part of the group.
“This should be the moment to explicitly offer EU membership to Greenland, and by extension to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway,” he wrote in a co-authored piece with Andreas Raspotnik of Nord University in Norway.
Read the full report here.
Greenland is making it clear that it will not, "under any circumstances," accept any offer from the United States to become part of the country or allow President Donald Trump to take control of it, reported The Guardian.
Trump has said that he needs Greenland for national security; however, the U.S. is closer to Russia than Greenland, with just four kilometers separating the nearest Alaska island from Russia.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that they're already at work on bolstering Arctic security.
While Trump has always mentioned the need to purchase Greenland, his top aide, Stephen Miller, told CNN's Jake Tapper that the U.S. would conduct military operations to take over the island, which has 30,000 residents.
Trump also has an interest in the rare-earth minerals on the island, but technology experts said the U.S. wouldn't even begin to uncover them for another decade.
In a Monday statement, Greenland's government said it is "part of the kingdom of Denmark" and “as part of the Danish commonwealth, a member of NATO."
Greenland also said that it would increase its efforts to ensure its defense took place “in the NATO framework."
The Island's ruling coalition “believes Greenland will forever be part of the Western Defence Alliance," and that “all NATO member states, including the US, have a common interest” in Greenland's defense.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
The U.S. has enjoyed a treaty with Greenland since 1951 and has an American Space Force base on the island.
Greenland's government is seeking a diplomatic solution with Trump.
Germany’s former vice-chancellor Robert Habeck penned a column in The Guardian encouraging the European Union begin the process to make Greenland part of the group.
“This should be the moment to explicitly offer EU membership to Greenland, and by extension to the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway,” he wrote in a co-authored piece with Andreas Raspotnik of Nord University in Norway.
Read the full report here.
Germany pledges increased Arctic role as Trump says Greenland protected by 'two dog sleds'
By Aleksandar Brezar Published on
Germany is increasing its Arctic commitments after the US president threatened to seize Greenland, sparking a diplomatic crisis with Europe.
Germany said Sunday it was ready to assume greater responsibilities in the Arctic after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland "one way or the other", sparking a diplomatic crisis between Washington and its European allies.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would increase its Arctic commitments while rejecting Trump's threats against the mineral-rich Danish territory.
"Security in the arctic is becoming more and more important and is part of our common interest in NATO," Wadephul said at a joint news conference with Iceland's foreign minister in Reykjavik.
"If the American president is looking at what threats might come from Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in the region, we can of course find answers to that together."
"But the future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland" and Denmark, he said.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Washington would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if the United States did not act.
"If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump said, despite neither country laying claim to the island. "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over."
Trump mocked Greenland's security forces, saying: "You know what their defence is, two dog sleds," while Russia and China have "destroyers and submarines all over the place."
Germany said Sunday it was ready to assume greater responsibilities in the Arctic after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland "one way or the other", sparking a diplomatic crisis between Washington and its European allies.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would increase its Arctic commitments while rejecting Trump's threats against the mineral-rich Danish territory.
"Security in the arctic is becoming more and more important and is part of our common interest in NATO," Wadephul said at a joint news conference with Iceland's foreign minister in Reykjavik.
"If the American president is looking at what threats might come from Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in the region, we can of course find answers to that together."
"But the future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland" and Denmark, he said.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Washington would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if the United States did not act.
"If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump said, despite neither country laying claim to the island. "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over."
Trump mocked Greenland's security forces, saying: "You know what their defence is, two dog sleds," while Russia and China have "destroyers and submarines all over the place."
'Decisive moment' amid 'threatening rhetoric'
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Sunday her country faces a "decisive moment" in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland.
"There is a conflict over Greenland. This is a decisive moment," Frederiksen said in a debate with Danish political leaders ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday.
She posted on Facebook that Denmark was "ready to defend our values — wherever it is — also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples' right to self-determination."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned US "threatening rhetoric" after Trump's latest statements.
"Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European countries stand together with our Danish friends," he told a defence conference in Salen attended by NATO's supreme allied commander.
"On the contrary, the US should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, over 50 Danish soldiers have paid the ultimate price for that loyalty," Kristersson said.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said, "We are strengthening security in the Arctic together, as NATO allies, and not against one another."
Leaders of seven European countries including France, Britain, Germany and Italy signed a letter Tuesday saying it is "only" for Denmark and Greenland to decide the territory's future.
Trump says controlling Greenland is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. The United States has maintained a military base on the island since World War II.
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Sunday her country faces a "decisive moment" in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland.
"There is a conflict over Greenland. This is a decisive moment," Frederiksen said in a debate with Danish political leaders ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday.
She posted on Facebook that Denmark was "ready to defend our values — wherever it is — also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples' right to self-determination."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned US "threatening rhetoric" after Trump's latest statements.
"Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European countries stand together with our Danish friends," he told a defence conference in Salen attended by NATO's supreme allied commander.
"On the contrary, the US should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years. In Afghanistan and Iraq, over 50 Danish soldiers have paid the ultimate price for that loyalty," Kristersson said.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said, "We are strengthening security in the Arctic together, as NATO allies, and not against one another."
Leaders of seven European countries including France, Britain, Germany and Italy signed a letter Tuesday saying it is "only" for Denmark and Greenland to decide the territory's future.
Trump says controlling Greenland is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. The United States has maintained a military base on the island since World War II.
'No immediate threat' amid growing importance
NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus Grynkewich told the Swedish conference that alliance members were discussing Greenland's status.
While there was "no immediate threat" to NATO territory, the Arctic's strategic importance was rapidly growing, Grynkewich said. He said talks on Greenland were being held at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels.
"Those dialogues continue in Brussels. They have been healthy dialogues from what I've heard," the general said.
Grynkewich said Russian and Chinese vessels had been seen patrolling together on Russia's northern coast and near Alaska and Canada, working together to gain greater access to the Arctic as ice recedes due to global warming.
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark. Polls indicate Greenland's population strongly opposes a US takeover.
The vast majority of Greenland's political parties have said they do not want to be under US control and insist Greenlanders must decide their own future.
Frederiksen warned last week that any US move to take Greenland by force would destroy 80 years of transatlantic security links.
Trump waved off the comment, saying, "If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, they need us much more than we need them."
Wadephul held talks in Iceland before meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday to address "strategic challenges of the far north," according to a German foreign ministry statement.
NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus Grynkewich told the Swedish conference that alliance members were discussing Greenland's status.
While there was "no immediate threat" to NATO territory, the Arctic's strategic importance was rapidly growing, Grynkewich said. He said talks on Greenland were being held at the North Atlantic Council in Brussels.
"Those dialogues continue in Brussels. They have been healthy dialogues from what I've heard," the general said.
Grynkewich said Russian and Chinese vessels had been seen patrolling together on Russia's northern coast and near Alaska and Canada, working together to gain greater access to the Arctic as ice recedes due to global warming.
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark. Polls indicate Greenland's population strongly opposes a US takeover.
The vast majority of Greenland's political parties have said they do not want to be under US control and insist Greenlanders must decide their own future.
Frederiksen warned last week that any US move to take Greenland by force would destroy 80 years of transatlantic security links.
Trump waved off the comment, saying, "If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, they need us much more than we need them."
Wadephul held talks in Iceland before meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday to address "strategic challenges of the far north," according to a German foreign ministry statement.
“Among people it will be also very, very negative,” said EU defense commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius looks on during a press conference in Brussels on November 19, 2025.
(Photo by Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images)
Julia Conley
Jan 12, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
The European Union’s defense commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, said Monday that Europe must build up its military capabilities as President Donald Trump threatens to rip up the central agreement that’s underpinned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for more than 75 years with his escalating demand that the US should be able to take control of Greenland—a semiautonomous territory of NATO founding member Denmark.
Kubilius said he agreed with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s recent assessment that a US takeover of Greenland, home to about 56,000 people, “will be the end of NATO.”
.
‘Greenland Belongs to Its People’: European Leaders Begin Waking Up to Dangers of Trump Imperialism
Denmark Taking Greenland Threats ‘Seriously’ as Trump Eyes More Military Interventions
“But also among people it will be also very, very negative,” Kubilius told Reuters at a security conference in Sweden.
Trump first expressed a desire to take control of Greenland during his first term. The vast island is in a geopolitically strategic location as countries begin to use the Arctic Ocean for shipping routes, and has stores of rare earth minerals.
The president has intensified his threats against the territory following his invasion of Venezuela and the US military’s abduction of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, with White House officials saying Trump has the right to take control of any country he wants to in order to control their resources.
On Air Force One on Sunday, Trump told reporters that he has not yet proposed a deal to Denmark and said “Greenland should make the deal.” He added that he does not care whether a takeover of Greenland “affects NATO.”
“They need us more than we need them,” said the president.
Trump also said in the Oval Office Sunday that owning Greenland is “psychologically important for me.”
“Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document, that you can have a base,” said Trump.
The US already owns a military base in Greenland, but Trump has claimed military presence in the territory is not enough to fend off what he claims are imminent threats from China and Russia.
Kubilius said that should NATO fall apart due to a US operation aimed at taking Greenland by force from its longtime ally, “it will be a very big challenge to be ready to defend Europe, being independent, being without the United States.”
“The question would be how we can use in that case NATO structures, how they can be, you know, become a basis for European pillar of NATO,” he said. “But NATO such as it is now definitely will not exist anymore.”
Greenland’s govermment on Monday issued a statement reiterating its previous warnings that it is “part of the kingdom of Denmark.”
“As part of the Danish Commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO and the defense of Greenland must therefore be [done] through NATO,” reads the statement.
Considering that six NATO member states in Europe have expressed firm opposition to Trump’s plan, the government said, “Greenland will increase its efforts to ensure that the defense of Greenland takes place under the auspices of NATO.”
“The government coalition in Greenland will therefore work with Denmark to ensure that the dialogue on and development of the defense in Greenland takes place within the framework of NATO cooperation,” officials added.
In addition to the NATO agreement, Kublius said, Article 42.7 of the European Union Treaty obligates member states to come to Denmark’s defense if Greenland is attacked.
“It will depend very much on Denmark, how they will react, what will be their position, but definitely there is such an obligation of member states to come for mutual assistance if another member state is facing military aggression,” he said.
On NBC‘s “Meet the Press,” US Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday also expressed concern that a military attack on Greenland would mean the US was at war “with Europe, with England, with France.”
“An attempt to ‘annex’ Greenland would be the functional end of NATO,” said Murphy. “And final evidence that Trump is permanently distracted by things that have nothing to do with the American people—like Venezuela, his new White House ballroom, and now Greenland.”
Greenland and NATO vow to boost Arctic security after Trump’s annexation threats
Copyright AP Photo
Published on
Trump has insisted that Greenland needs to be brought under US control, arguing that the Danish autonomous territory is crucial for national security.
NATO and Greenland's government said on Monday that they intend to work on strengthening the defence of the Danish autonomous territory, hoping to dissuade US President Donald Trump from annexing the island.
On Sunday, Trump further stoked tensions by saying that the United States would take the territory "one way or the other," and poked fun at the island's defences, saying they consisted only of "two dog sleds."
Confronted with the prospect of annexation by force, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has placed his hopes in the US-led military alliance NATO.
"Our security and defence belong in NATO. That is a fundamental and firm line," Nielsen said in a social media post.
His government "will therefore work to ensure that the development of defence in and around Greenland takes place in close cooperation with NATO, in dialogue with our allies, including the United States, and in cooperation with Denmark," he added
Pieces of ice move through the sea in Qoornoq Island near Nuuk, 17 February, 2025 AP Photo
NATO chief Mark Rutte also said on Monday that the alliance was working on "the next steps" to bolster Arctic security.
Diplomats at NATO say that some alliance members are floating ideas, including possibly launching a new mission in the region.
Discussions are at an embryonic stage and there are no concrete proposals on the table so far, they say.
Trump has insisted that Greenland needs to be brought under US control, arguing that the Danish autonomous territory is crucial for national security.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that if Washington followed through with an armed attack on Greenland it would spell the end of NATO.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attends a news conference in Zagreb, 12 January, 2026 AP Photo
In a bid to appease Washington, Copenhagen has invested heavily in security in the region, allocating some 90 billion kroner (€11 billion) in 2025.
Greenland, which is home to some 57,000 people, is vast with significant mineral resources, most of them untapped, and is considered strategically located.
Since World War II and during the Cold War, the island housed several US military bases but only one remains.
According to Rutte, Denmark would have no problem with a larger US military presence on the island.
Under a 1951 treaty, updated in 2004, the United States could simply notify Denmark if it wanted to send more troops.
Diplomatic front
Denmark is also working on the diplomatic front, with a meeting between Danish and Greenlandic representatives and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected this week.
According to US and Danish media reports, the meeting is set to take place Wednesday in Washington.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Monday posted a photo from a meeting with his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt.
Denmark reportedly wants to present a united front with the leaders of the autonomous territory before the meeting with US representatives.
The Danish media reported last week on a tense videoconference between Danish lawmakers and their Greenlandic counterparts over how to negotiate with Washington.
Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, 7 March, 2025 AP Photo
Facing Trump's repeated threats, Nielsen said in his message on Monday: "I fully understand if there is unease."
In a statement published on Monday, the government in the capital, Nuuk, said it "cannot accept under any circumstance" a US takeover of Greenland.
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule 26 years later and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark.
Polls show that Greenland's people strongly oppose a US takeover.
"We have been a colony for so many years. We are not ready to be a colony and colonised again," fisherman Julius Nielsen told the AFP news agency at the weekend.
And a bipartisan US congressional delegation will head to Copenhagen later this week in an attempt to show unity between the United States and Denmark, it emerged on Monday.
Senator Chris Coons will lead the trip of at least nine members of Congress and the group will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday, according to a congressional aide familiar with the trip's planning.
Sweden, Germany critical of US rhetoric on Greenland and Denmark
Sweden is highly critical of the "threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark from US President Donald Trump's administration, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Sunday. Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland.
Issued on: 11/01/2026 - RFI
Sweden is highly critical of the "threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark from US President Donald Trump's administration, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Sunday. Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland.
Issued on: 11/01/2026 - RFI
Swedish Minister of Defense Pal Jonson and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson address a press conference at the Folk och Forsvars annual National Conference at the Hogfjallshotellet in Salen, Sweden on 11 January, 2026.
AFP - HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT
Kristersson said in a speech on Sunday that the rules-based world order was under greater threat than for many decades.
"We are highly critical of what the United States is now doing and has done in Venezuela, in regards to international law, and probably even more critical of the rhetoric that is being expressed against Greenland and Denmark," he said at an annual security conference in northern Sweden.
"On the contrary, the United States should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years."
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future. He has repeatedly said that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland, something Nordic countries have rejected.
Sweden to invest $1.6 billion in air defence systems
Sweden will spend 15 billion Swedish crowns ($1.6 billion) on air defence aimed at primarily protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, the government said on Sunday.
Sweden has, like most European countries, invested heavily in defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Sweden's vast territory has remained vulnerable to aerial threats.
"The experience from the war in Ukraine clearly shows how crucial a robust and resilient air defence is," Defence Minister Pal Jonson told reporters at a security conference in northern Sweden.
He said Sweden would buy short-range air defence systems to protect cities, bridges, power plants and other critical infrastructure.
On Sunday Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticised the US administration's
"threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark, saying the US should thank Denmark for being a loyal ally.
'International law applies to everyone'
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that the principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States, in reference to President Trump's threats to seize Greenland.
"It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said ahead of his departure to Washington for a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies.
Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday.
A US military seizure of the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark, a long-time ally, would send shockwaves through NATO and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders.
"We increase security in the Arctic together as NATO allies, not in opposition to one another," Klingbeil said.
(Reuters)
Kristersson said in a speech on Sunday that the rules-based world order was under greater threat than for many decades.
"We are highly critical of what the United States is now doing and has done in Venezuela, in regards to international law, and probably even more critical of the rhetoric that is being expressed against Greenland and Denmark," he said at an annual security conference in northern Sweden.
"On the contrary, the United States should thank Denmark, which has been a very loyal ally over the years."
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future. He has repeatedly said that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland, something Nordic countries have rejected.
Sweden to invest $1.6 billion in air defence systems
Sweden will spend 15 billion Swedish crowns ($1.6 billion) on air defence aimed at primarily protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, the government said on Sunday.
Sweden has, like most European countries, invested heavily in defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Sweden's vast territory has remained vulnerable to aerial threats.
"The experience from the war in Ukraine clearly shows how crucial a robust and resilient air defence is," Defence Minister Pal Jonson told reporters at a security conference in northern Sweden.
He said Sweden would buy short-range air defence systems to protect cities, bridges, power plants and other critical infrastructure.
On Sunday Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson criticised the US administration's
"threatening rhetoric" against Greenland and Denmark, saying the US should thank Denmark for being a loyal ally.
'International law applies to everyone'
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that the principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States, in reference to President Trump's threats to seize Greenland.
"It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said ahead of his departure to Washington for a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies.
Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of meetings in Washington on Monday.
A US military seizure of the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark, a long-time ally, would send shockwaves through NATO and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders.
"We increase security in the Arctic together as NATO allies, not in opposition to one another," Klingbeil said.
(Reuters)
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