As the US continues to threaten to take over the region, Mette Fredericksen visits the Arctic Island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen sought an increase in Arctic defense cooperation with the United States during his visit to Greenland, firmly dismissing Washington’s desire to annex semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Fredericksen’s visit follows months of tensions between Washington and Copenhagen over President Donald Trump’s repeated declaration that the Arctic Island should be part of the United States.
At a press conference with New Riku Prime Minister Greenland on Thursday, Fredericksen invited him to switch to English to deal directly with the United States, and to strengthen Arctic security along with Denmark and Greenland.
“I would like to use this opportunity to send a message directly to the United States,” Fredericksen said, boarding a military ship with snow cliffs in the background.
“This is about the world order we have built together not just Greenland and Denmark, but across the Atlantic throughout our generation. Even discussions about security cannot annex other countries,” she said.
According to a Washington Post newspaper, the White House now estimates the costs of the US federal government controlling Greenland and the potential revenues that can be obtained from the use of largely undeveloped natural resources.
US Vice President JD Vance also visited a country’s military base in northern Greenland last Friday, accusing Denmark of not doing a good job of keeping the Arctic island safe. He suggested that the United States would better protect the territory it is strategically located.
Fredericksen said at the time that Vance’s Danish explanation was “not fair.”
On Thursday, she outlined Denmark’s security commitments, including new Arctic ships, long-range drones and satellite capabilities, saying Denmark would announce more investments.
“If you want to be more in Greenland, if you’re ready for Greenland and Denmark, and if you want to get more security in the Arctic like us, let’s do it together,” she said.
The Danish Prime Minister arrived in Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day visit and ran around the capital Nuke on a Danish Navy patrol ship, along with Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens Frederick Nielsen and his predecessor Mute Eged.
The Danish public broadcaster Dr. said many people cheered at Fredericksen.
“From a sovereignty, borders and future perspective, it is clear that we need to continue to unite with pressure on Greenland by Americans,” Fredericksen said after arriving on the island on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rocke Rasmussen met on the sidelines of the NATO conference held in Brussels on Thursday.
Rubio has granted Greenland the right to self-determination, according to Rasmussen.
Rubio reaffirmed the “strong relationship” between the United States and Denmark, the State Department said in a statement after the meeting.