Denmark has firmly warned the United States against attempting to take Greenland by force, emphasizing that any such move could unravel 80 years of transatlantic security cooperation. The warning comes after President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic territory.
The situation has drawn renewed attention following Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela, reigniting fears that Greenland—a strategic territory with untapped rare earth deposits and key Arctic shipping routes—could be next on the US radar.
Trump had previously stated, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.” In response, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen directly told the US leader to back off. Several European countries, alongside the European Union, also rushed to support Denmark, calling on Washington to respect a NATO ally.
In Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told TV2, “If the US decides to militarily attack another NATO country, everything would stop—that includes NATO itself and the post-World War II security structure.”
Greenland already hosts a US military base and is strategically located along the shortest missile route between Russia and the US. Despite this, Trump has downplayed immediate concerns, joking that Greenland could wait “about two months” while attention focuses on Venezuela.
In a firm social media response, Nielsen said, “That’s enough now. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation. We are open to dialogue, but this must happen through proper channels and with respect for international law.”
Yesterday, he urged calm in Nuuk, stating, “The situation is not such that the US can conquer Greenland. We must restore the good cooperation we once had.”
China and Russia in the Spotlight
Trump’s claims about foreign naval activity near Greenland, citing Chinese and Russian ships, have stirred tensions. Beijing called on Washington to stop using the so-called “China threat” as an excuse for personal gain. Greenland’s representative in the Danish parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, said Trump’s remarks are misleading and emphasized that Greenlanders should begin taking these claims seriously.
On Copenhagen streets, locals expressed disbelief at Trump’s statements. “I think it’s a little crazy that he can say those things,” said Frederik Olsen, 56. Christian Harpsoe, 46, added, “He has all the access he wants for troops. You cannot compare this to Venezuela.”
European Leaders Stand Firm
The controversy drew widespread European support for Denmark. EU foreign policy spokesperson Anitta Hipper reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to defending member states’ territorial integrity. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with leaders from Finland, Sweden, and Norway, echoed the view that only Greenland and Denmark can decide the territory’s future. France also expressed solidarity, emphasizing that borders cannot be changed by force.
The flare-up intensified after former Trump aide Katie Miller posted an online image of Greenland in US flag colors with the caption “SOON,” prompting Nielsen to call the post “disrespectful.” Frederiksen condemned US threats toward Denmark as “absurd.”
Even Stephen Miller, a senior Trump adviser, argued that the US could claim Greenland without military intervention, claiming there would be no need to fight over it.
As tensions simmer, Denmark and Greenland are advocating for dialogue, law, and diplomacy, underscoring that historical alliances and mutual respect must guide the path forward—reminding the world that cooperation, not coercion, strengthens global security.
