TROMSOE, Norway — On Monday, Denmark assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Arctic Council from Norway. This transition comes amid heightened security tensions in the region and amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland.
The new chair of the council is Vivian Motzfeldt, the foreign affairs minister of Greenland, a territory that enjoys semi-autonomous status under Denmark. Denmark has consistently rejected the idea of selling Greenland, a notion floated by Trump. Upon taking over the chairmanship, Motzfeldt emphasized Greenland’s longstanding aspiration for independence, while also acknowledging the importance of maintaining a cooperative relationship with the United States.
“We’ve made it clear through our political stance that we are neither Danish nor do we wish to become part of America,” Motzfeldt remarked. “That said, our collaboration with the current U.S. administration remains robust.”
During Norway’s two-year leadership of the Arctic Council, the grouping encountered challenges related to Trump’s policies and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine instigated by Russia. As the largest Arctic nation, Russia held the council chairmanship before Norway. Historically, the Arctic Council has been an essential platform for cooperation between Western nations and Russia. However, following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, council members collectively chose to suspend their collaborative activities with Russia.
Motzfeldt stated, “The Arctic must remain a place where disagreements are solved through diplomatic means, where Indigenous rights receive due protection, and where collaboration is paramount. These principles are crucial now more than ever. We are confident that, even amidst uncertainties, cooperation will thrive, fostering a stronger and more resilient future for the Arctic and its communities.”
While the Arctic Council’s focus does not extend to security matters directly, it plays a vital role in environmental protection through binding agreements and upholding the rights of the region’s Indigenous people. The council comprises eight member states: Russia, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Furthermore, there are six organizations that represent Arctic Indigenous peoples, which hold permanent participant status. Established in 1996, the council’s meetings also welcome observer nations such as France, Germany, China, Japan, India, and Korea, reflecting its inclusive approach to tackling Arctic issues.