Greenland’s chief declared “sufficient is sufficient,” and Denmark’s allies in Europe affirmed that the Arctic island’s future should be decided by its folks, rebuffing renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump about buying the huge territory.
Trump spoke a day after the US particular forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a surprising raid, with Trump stating that Washington supposed to supervise the governance of the oil-rich Latin American nation. The US operation rekindled considerations in Denmark that Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, may face an identical state of affairs.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned he needs to take over Greenland, an ambition first voiced in 2019 throughout his first presidency. On Sunday, he advised The Atlantic journal in an interview: “We do want Greenland, completely. We’d like it for protection.”
Chatting with reporters aboard Air Power One early on Monday, Trump mentioned he would revisit the subject in a couple of weeks.
“Threats, stress, and discuss of annexation haven’t any place between associates,” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen mentioned on Fb late on Sunday. “Sufficient is sufficient. (…) No extra fantasies about annexation.”
On December 21, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as particular envoy to Greenland. Landry has publicly expressed assist for incorporating Greenland into the US.
Greenland’s strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a vital website within the US ballistic missile protection system. The island’s vital mineral sources additionally align with Washington’s ambition to scale back dependence on Chinese language exports.
Assist for Denmark and Greenland got here swiftly from Nordic and Baltic leaders following Trump’s newest remarks.
President Alexander Stubb of Finland posted on X late on Sunday: “Nobody decides for Greenland and Denmark however Greenland and Denmark themselves. Our Nordic buddy Denmark and Statsministeriet (Prime Minister’s Workplace) have our full assist.”
France additionally expressed solidarity, saying Greenland belonged to the folks of Greenland. President Emmanuel Macron mentioned final June throughout a go to to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, that the island was threatened by “predatory ambition”.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned on Sunday that US feedback about needing to take over Greenland made “completely no sense”.
German minister: safety of Greenland will likely be mentioned inside NATO if wanted
German International Minister Johann Wadephul mentioned on Monday that Greenland belonged to Denmark and that the NATO alliance might talk about strengthening its safety if obligatory.
Wadephul was talking after US President Donald Trump made renewed threats to take over Greenland.
Chatting with reporters in Lithuania, Wadephul mentioned Germany had questions on Maduro’s elimination and burdened the Venezuelan folks ought to decide their nation’s future in free and honest elections, after Trump mentioned the US would run the nation.
On Greenland, Wadephul burdened it was a part of Denmark.
“And since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland will, in precept, even be topic to NATO protection,” he mentioned.
“And if there are additional necessities to strengthen protection efforts regarding Greenland, then we should talk about this inside the framework of the alliance.”
He didn’t elaborate on the character of these discussions.
