Denmark says deep differences with the United States remain over Greenland’s future, despite what officials described as frank but constructive talks in Washington.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters that a “fundamental disagreement” persists after meetings with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House.
Speaking alongside Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, Rasmussen said it was “absolutely not necessary” for the U.S. to acquire Greenland and stressed that the island faces no “instant threat” from Russia or China.
His remarks come after President Donald Trump again argued that Greenland is vital for U.S. national security and warned of growing influence from Russia and China. Both Greenland’s leadership and Denmark, a Nato ally, have firmly rejected any idea of U.S. control over the semi-autonomous territory.
Rasmussen said the talks focused on long-term Arctic security, but acknowledged that the two sides see the future of Greenland differently. Still, he called the meeting productive and confirmed that a high-level working group will be formed to search for common ground.
“The task is to address American security concerns while respecting Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination,” he said.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt underlined that Greenland wants close cooperation with Washington, but not ownership by the U.S.
“We can be strong allies without being owned,” she said.
Rasmussen also rejected claims of an immediate Chinese or Russian threat, noting there is currently no Chinese presence in Greenland. He added that Denmark is ready to further strengthen its security role in the Arctic, pointing to increased military spending and long-standing agreements that already give the U.S. broad access to Greenland.
Despite the disagreements, both Denmark and Greenland said they remain committed to working closely with the United States.
“We are among America’s closest allies,” Rasmussen said, adding that continued dialogue was the only way forward.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday (25 February) for a two-day visit, becoming the first Indian premier to address the...
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wednesday (25 February) on more than 30 individuals, entities and "shadow fleet" vessels it said ena...
Georgia is facing intensifying diplomatic pressure as Western partners urge stronger alignment against Russia, while leaders in Tbilisi warn that furt...
Thousands of dead grebes have been found along Azerbaijan’s Caspian coastline, prompting authorities to expand inspections as early laboratory tests...
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem says it will provide on-site passport and consular services to settlers based in the West Bank on Friday 27 February. Th...
U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to send a hospital ship to Greenland with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, drawing a quick rejection from Greenland’s prime minister.
A platoon of Swedish Air Force Rangers is training in Greenland as part of the ongoing “Arctic Endurance” exercise, according to Sweden’s military.
France and Canada opened new consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Friday, stepping up their Arctic presence in a show of support for Denmark, a NATO ally, amid renewed demands by U.S. President Donald Trump to acquire the strategically located territory.
Greenland registered its warmest January on record, sharpening concerns over how fast-rising Arctic temperatures are reshaping core parts of the island’s economy.
The Taliban in Kabul has rejected Russian claims that more than 23,000 militants from around 20 international terror groups are currently operating within Afghanistan.
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the war is no longer defined by shock but by scale.
Seven people were killed after gunmen ambushed a police patrol in Kohat, a district in Pakistan’s north-west near the Afghan border, on Tuesday, in an attack that comes amid rising militant violence and heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Four members of Syria’s Internal Security Forces were killed and two others injured on Monday (23 February) in an attack by the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group targeting a checkpoint west of Raqqa in northeastern Syria, the Interior Ministry said.
Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war can be measured not only in lives and territory, but in money. In Part One, the war’s cost was measured in casualties and kilometres. In Part Two, it is measured in billions of dollars.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Wednesday (25 February) on more than 30 individuals, entities and "shadow fleet" vessels it said enabled Iran's illicit petroleum sales, ballistic missiles and weapons production.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest State of the Union address set out a second-term agenda built on economic protectionism, military strength and a hard line on Iran, signalling a strategy that pairs diplomatic engagement with firm red lines, Assoc. Prof. Orkhan Valiyev told AnewZ Daybreak.
Switzerland said on Wednesday (25 February) it would make a one-off payment of 50,000 Swiss francs ($56,000) to each severely injured survivor and to the bereaved families of those killed in the New Year bar fire at the ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Russia has claimed its forces have taken control of a village in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv’s new Flamingo missiles successfully struck targets deep inside Russian territory, underscoring the continuing intensity of the conflict.
South Korea and the United States will conduct joint military drills, known as Freedom Shield, from 9 to 19 March, military officials from both countries announced on Wednesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment