Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared on Thursday that recent high-stakes talks with U.S. officials failed to resolve tensions over Washington’s persistent interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory under Denmark. The discussions, held on January 14 in Washington, involved U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers.
“There is a fundamental disagreement, because the American ambition to take over Greenland is intact,” Frederiksen stated, emphasizing Denmark’s rejection of the proposal. She reiterated that Greenland’s defense is a “common concern for the entire NATO alliance,” signaling broader geopolitical implications.
In response to escalating U.S. pressure, Denmark and Greenland announced plans to expand military presence in the Arctic region, with NATO allies invited to participate. France, Germany, and Norway are among European nations contributing limited personnel or assets, though analysts describe these moves as largely symbolic. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed additional deployments of land, air, and maritime forces to Greenland this week.
The dispute has reignited debates about European security autonomy. Camille Grand, former NATO assistant secretary general, noted the EU’s struggle to achieve defense independence amid industrial capacity gaps and financial strain from the ongoing Ukraine crisis. Meanwhile, experts warn that while a U.S. military takeover of Greenland is feasible, long-term governance would pose significant challenges.
Greenland’s strategic importance in Arctic trade routes and resource extraction continues to fuel international interest, with the region’s autonomy remaining a focal point in global diplomacy.
