Denmark defends Greenland's future against US ambitions
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen strongly opposes American plans concerning Greenland. He emphasizes that any decisions about the island's future belong to the Commonwealth Kingdom.
What you need to know
- Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has expressed opposition to American plans to take over Greenland.
- Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States needs Greenland for international security and is ready to acquire the island.
- U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will visit the Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland, despite the fact that the American delegation was not formally invited there.
Denmark's firm stance
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, in an interview with the Danish TV channel TV2, emphasized that decisions regarding Greenland's future belong exclusively to the Commonwealth Kingdom, which includes Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Poulsen stated that the United States should respect the principles of international law, which prohibit taking over parts of another country.
Vance in Greenland without invitation
The visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Greenland met with criticism from local politicians. Outgoing Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede deemed it aggressive and provocative, emphasizing that Greenlandic politicians are busy with talks about forming a new government. Residents of Sisimiut have announced anti-American demonstrations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticized the visit, calling it "unacceptable pressure". The visit by an uninvited American delegation has caused tensions between allies.
The rhetoric of the U.S. authorities, as noted by Minister Poulsen, represents a "covert threat" to the Commonwealth Kingdom. Poulsen emphasized that such statements are unbecoming of a U.S. president and are inappropriate toward a close ally like Denmark.
