Greenland has firmly rejected any proposal or pressure from the United States to take over the self-governed Arctic territory, reaffirming its commitment to remain part of the Danish Kingdom.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Copenhagen alongside Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said:
“We are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.”
The Context: US Threats to Greenland
The statement comes amid repeated threats from US President Donald Trump to bring Greenland under American control “one way or another.” Trump’s remarks have sparked a diplomatic crisis, alarming NATO allies and European partners, who warn that any unilateral attempt to seize Greenland would have serious geopolitical repercussions.
Greenland’s government made its stance clear earlier:
“The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstance,” the coalition said.
“As part of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO, and the defence of Greenland must therefore be through NATO.”
Denmark Stands Firm
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supported Greenland’s decision, condemning the US pressure as “completely unacceptable” from Denmark’s closest ally.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen confirmed that the governments of Denmark and Greenland have requested a meeting at the White House with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance to address the issue.
“Our reason for seeking the meeting is to move this whole discussion into a room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things,” Rasmussen said.
Greenlandic Identity at Stake
The pushback from Greenland is not only political but also cultural and social. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician in the Danish parliament, stressed that Greenlanders do not want US citizenship:
“Greenland is not for sale, and Greenland will never be for sale. People seem to think they can buy the Greenlandic soul. It is our identity, our language, our culture – and it would look completely different if you became an American citizen, and that is not something a majority in Greenland want.”
With a population of just 56,000, the territory emphasizes that its autonomy, language, and cultural heritage are non-negotiable.
NATO and Geopolitical Implications
Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic makes it vital for NATO and global security, which is why both Denmark and Greenland underscore that any defense or security arrangements must go through NATO.
European leaders have expressed outrage at Trump’s repeated takeover threats, warning that unilateral action could severely strain transatlantic relations and destabilize Arctic geopolitics.
What’s Next
The situation is expected to escalate diplomatically this week, with US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials set to meet in Washington to negotiate and reaffirm Greenland’s sovereignty.
Observers note that Greenland’s refusal to entertain US overtures reflects a broader Arctic strategy, emphasizing sovereignty, cultural preservation, and strategic alignment with Denmark and NATO, rather than unilateral US influence.
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