Denmark, US and Greenland to discuss Arctic security

OSLO – Denmark agreed on Jan 24 to discuss the Arctic region with Washington, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, after his first phone call with the top diplomat of the administration of President Donald Trump, who wants control of Greenland.

Mr Rasmussen and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 20-minute conversation in a “good and constructive tone”, discussing Ukraine, European security and the situation in the Middle East, the Danish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The State Department said late on Jan 24 that Mr Rubio had “reaffirmed the strength of the relationship” between the two countries in the call.

Mr Trump has expressed an interest in making Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the United States. He has not ruled out using military or economic power to persuade Denmark to hand it over.

Greenland’s strategic location along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the US ballistic missile warning system, has made it a priority for Mr Trump.

Denmark’s prime minister, Ms Mette Frederiksen, on Jan 15 said she had spoken on the phone with Mr Trump and told him that it is up to Greenland itself to decide on any independence.

The Financial Times reported on Jan 24 that last week’s call between Ms Frederiksen and Mr Trump was fiery, with Mr Trump insisting he was serious about his determination to take over Greenland. The paper cited European officials. Mr Trump took office on Jan 20.

“Arctic security was not on the agenda, but it was agreed that it will be discussed between the United States, Denmark and Greenland at a later date, the Danish ministry said on Jan 24.

Greenland’s prime minister, Mr Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide their future.

While Mr Trump had aired the possibility of taking over Greenland in 2019, during his first term in the White House, his refusal to rule out the use of military or economic power has caught many Danes by surprise. REUTERS

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Publish date : 2025-01-24 23:12:00

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