Denmark and Greenland Reject Discussions on Greenland’s Sovereignty
Leaders of Denmark and Greenland on Thursday dismissed any talks about changing Greenland’s sovereignty, stating that the territory’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable and remains their “red line.”
This response came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had reached an understanding with NATO Secretary-General on a framework for an agreement regarding Greenland’s future; a deal that, according to Trump, could grant the United States full access to the region. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump emphasized that the U.S. would have as much military access as it desires in Greenland.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty, and Denmark is a NATO member. However, the details of the agreement Trump referred to remain unclear.
In reaction, Allison Hart, a NATO spokesperson, stated that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg did not discuss any compromise on Greenland’s sovereignty during his conversation with the U.S. president.
Greenland’s Premier, Múte Bourup Egede, said he has no concrete information about such an agreement, adding, “I do not know what this agreement or deal concerning my country entails.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, described Arctic security as an issue involving all NATO members and called dialogue between the U.S. president and NATO chief on the matter natural. She stressed that before and after Stoltenberg’s meeting with Trump in Davos, they were in continuous contact, with assurances that sovereignty was not fundamentally on the agenda.
The Danish Prime Minister reiterated, “We cannot negotiate our sovereignty,” but expressed readiness to discuss strengthening security in the Arctic, provided that the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland is respected in any negotiations. Premier Egede also said Greenland is open to better partnership but considers sovereignty a red line.
