Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Wednesday that Denmark was unable to change the U.S. position on Greenland after talks with American officials in Washington.

Rasmussen described the discussions as “frank but constructive,” but said the U.S. president maintains strategic interest in the Arctic territory.The talks came amid heightened attention on Greenland after previous U.S. proposals suggested increased American influence over the island, prompting concerns in Copenhagen about sovereignty and Greenlandic autonomy. Rasmussen emphasised that any future arrangements must respect Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenland’s right to self-determination. “We didn’t manage to change the American position on Greenland,” he said, noting that Denmark and Greenland are willing to cooperate with the U.S. but will not cede control.

Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said Greenland wants to strengthen collaboration with the United States but made clear it does not want to be owned by the U.S. Both ministers said the Washington talks provided an opportunity to reduce tensions, clarify red lines, and reaffirm dialogue.

The discussions also covered regional security in the Arctic, with Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies assessing how to maintain a strong defence posture amid evolving strategic challenges.

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