Danish Minister Addresses U.S. Concerns Over Greenland's Sovereignty
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have intentions regarding Greenland that could be perceived as invasive. This comment followed discussions with American officials at the White House.
Rasmussen remarked:
"There is no need for the United States to exert control over Greenland," noting that Denmark has attempted to clarify its position to the U.S. without success.
He continued: "We have made it clear that any interference in the island's affairs would not align with the interests of the Kingdom of Denmark."
The Danish minister called on Washington to pursue a respectful and balanced approach to cooperation regarding Greenland, asserting that any infringement on Denmark's territorial integrity or the rights of Greenland's inhabitants to self-determination is wholly unacceptable.
Rasmussen pointed out that the U.S. already maintains significant military capabilities in Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement, but any requests for an increased presence would be evaluated with respect for Denmark's established boundaries.
He added: "We have decided to establish a high-level working group to explore solutions that address U.S. security concerns while honoring Greenland's sovereignty and Denmark's territorial integrity," with the first meeting anticipated in the coming weeks.
Rasmussen also refuted Trump's assertions regarding the presence of Chinese warships near Greenland, stating that intelligence reports indicate the Chinese navy has not approached the island in nearly a decade.
He stated: "This provided a valuable opportunity for both us and Greenland's Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, to counter this inaccurate narrative."
Rasmussen confirmed that discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance were productive, characterized by open dialogue among equal partners. Motzfeldt emphasized that Greenland aims to strengthen ties with the United States, rather than becoming a territory under its control.
