NUUK, Greenland — During a recent visit to Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister made a firm stand, stating to U.S. officials that annexation of another country is impermissible, even when argued under the guise of international security concerns.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted on Friday that the U.S. respects Greenland’s right to self-determination and emphasized that Copenhagen should acknowledge the desires of Greenlanders not wanting to maintain their association with Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen concluded a three-day visit to the geopolitically significant Arctic territory as U.S. President Donald Trump expressed aspirations to gain control of Greenland. Trump views Greenland, a semiautonomous region under the Kingdom of Denmark, as crucial for U.S. security.
Amidst these tensions, Vice President JD Vance had visited a remote U.S. military installation in Greenland one week prior, accusing Denmark of insufficient investment in the region.
Frederiksen, addressing these criticisms on Thursday alongside Greenland’s leaders on a Danish naval ship, defended Denmark as a steadfast NATO ally.
“Division among allies only benefits our adversaries, and I am committed to preventing such a scenario,” she stated while addressing various matters in English.
Highlighting Denmark’s cooperation, she added, “Danish companies heed calls to invest in the U.S., we bolster our defense spending, and we are committed to Arctic security.”
She continued to criticize the U.S. intentions, declaring, “However, when pressured to relinquish a segment of the Kingdom of Denmark through threats from a close ally, it challenges our longstanding trust in the U.S., a nation we’ve admired.”
Frederiksen closed her speech by stating, “The global order we’ve collectively built across the Atlantic disallows annexing territories, even under the pretext of safeguarding international security.” She further beckoned for cooperative efforts to enhance security in the Arctic.
Recent political shifts in Greenland, which has inclined toward independence from Denmark over time, saw the formation of a new coalition government to counter Trump’s propositions that stirred ire in both Greenland and Denmark.
Vice President Vance echoed claims of Denmark’s “underinvestment” in Greenland’s infrastructure and security in a Thursday interview with Newsmax, stressing American security concerns.
In related developments, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, present at a NATO meeting in Brussels, publicly shared a candid discussion he had with Rubio.
He asserted on social media that any claims about Greenland’s annexation are “unacceptable and a breach of international law.”
Rubio dismissed accusations of annexation in Brussels on Friday, highlighting Vance’s commitment to Greenland’s autonomy. Rubio emphasized that Greenland has contemplated the idea of independence for a long time and stated that it wasn’t influenced by external narratives.
Rubio hinted potential U.S. collaboration should Greenland choose a path of independence, though recognizing “we’re not at that stage” yet.