Key facts
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is optimistic about finding a peaceful way forward with the United States on the Arctic region and Greenland.
- President Trump previously sparked a crisis by demanding the U.S. control Greenland, arguing Denmark could not defend it.
- Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated Greenland does not want to be owned or governed by the US.
- Sweden and Germany have backed Denmark against Trump's claims.
- European military chiefs are reportedly discussing plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed optimism on Monday for a peaceful resolution with the United States concerning the Arctic region, particularly Greenland. The dispute escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on U.S. control over Greenland earlier this year, suggesting that Denmark, despite being a NATO ally, was not capable of defending the territory strategically. This move by Trump created significant friction within U.S.-European relations and the wider NATO alliance.
Frederiksen's comments came after a meeting with European Union leaders in northern Finland, where she noted encouraging signs of cooperation. "I'm quite optimistic that we can find a way," Frederiksen stated, signalling her intent to resolve the issue diplomatically.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and does not want to be owned, governed, or part of the US. He stated that if the territory had to choose, it would "choose Denmark over the US."
Sweden and Germany have backed Denmark against Trump's latest claims to the self-governing Danish territory. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the US's "threatening rhetoric" after Trump repeated that Washington was "going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not." German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadehpul held talks in Iceland to address the "strategic challenges of the Far North."
The UK's Telegraph newspaper reported that military chiefs from the UK and other European countries were drawing up plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland. UK Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander told Sky News that talks on how to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Arctic were "business as usual." Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Francken suggested that NATO should launch an operation in the Arctic to address US security concerns, proposing "Arctic Sentry" as a possible model.