US delegation skips Greenland towns, opts for base visit
The United States delegation canceled its visit to the Greenlandic community. Instead, envoys from the White House will only visit the military base Pituffik. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen views this decision as a positive development.
- Change of US visit plans: The United States delegation canceled visits to Nuuk and Sisimiut in favor of a visit to the American military base Pituffik in Greenland.
- Reaction from Denmark: Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the head of Danish diplomacy, called this decision a "masterstroke" that de-escalates tensions.
- Political context: Greenlandic politicians, including outgoing Prime Minister Mute B. Egede, considered the visit provocative in connection with Donald Trump's plans for Greenland's future. Residents of Sisimiut were planning protests.
Why did the USA change their visit plans to Greenland?
The head of Danish diplomacy, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, expressed satisfaction with the US delegation's decision to change its visit plans to Greenland. Instead of visiting Greenlandic communities, the delegation visited the American military base Pituffik. Rasmussen described this decision as a "masterstroke" that effectively de-escalates tensions.
What were the reactions to the US delegation's visit?
The decision to alter the visit plans met with mixed reactions. The outgoing Prime Minister of Greenland, Mute B. Egede, who considered the original plans aggressive and provocative, emphasized that Greenlandic politicians are currently busy with talks about forming a new government. Residents of Sisimiut announced anti-American demonstrations, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the visit as "unacceptable pressure".
Visit to Pituffik base: Surprising change of plan, Danes satisfied
The White House announced that Vance's visit, accompanied by his wife Usha, will take place instead of the previously announced visit of the US delegation led by the Second Lady. According to the original plans, the delegation was also to include Energy Minister Chris Wright and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. The Americans were to tour Greenland's historical sites and watch a dog sled race.
