Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that Denmark is facing a “decisive moment” over the future of Greenland, following renewed threats by US President Donald Trump to seize the Arctic territory by force.
Speaking ahead of meetings in Washington, DC, on global competition for critical raw materials, Frederiksen said there is now an open conflict over Greenland, with implications that go far beyond the island’s future.
“This is a decisive moment,” she said during a debate with other Danish political leaders, stressing that the stakes extend beyond Greenland alone.
In a social media post, Frederiksen said Denmark was “ready to defend our values, wherever it is necessary – also in the Arctic,” adding that the country believes in international law and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Germany and Sweden voiced strong support for Denmark in response to Trump’s latest remarks regarding the self-governing Danish territory.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned what he described as threatening rhetoric from Washington after Trump said the United States would “do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not.”
“Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states and several major European nations stand together with our Danish friends,” Kristersson said at a defence conference, which was attended by NATO’s top US general.
He warned that any US takeover of mineral-rich Greenland would violate international law and could set a dangerous precedent by encouraging similar actions elsewhere.
Germany also reiterated its backing for Denmark and Greenland ahead of discussions in Washington. German officials said Arctic security is becoming increasingly important and forms part of NATO’s shared strategic interests.
Reports in the United Kingdom indicate that military leaders from several European countries are exploring contingency plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland. These early discussions reportedly include the potential deployment of troops, warships and aircraft to protect the territory amid rising tensions involving Russia and China.
UK officials described talks on deterring Russian activity in the Arctic as routine, noting that the region is becoming increasingly contested.
Belgium’s defence minister has also called for a NATO operation in the Arctic to address growing security concerns, arguing that unity and collective action within the alliance are essential. He suggested that existing NATO monitoring missions could serve as models for a similar Arctic-focused operation.
Trump has repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland is vital to American national security, citing increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.
Greenland, a former Danish colony until 1953, later gained home rule and has continued to expand its autonomy. While some political leaders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show that Greenland’s population overwhelmingly opposes any takeover by the United States.
