Greenland's government and residents have welcomed a new defence agreement with the U.S. and Denmark that allows Washington to expand its military presence on the Arctic island, although concerns over U.S. intentions remain.
The agreement builds on a 1951 defence pact between Denmark and the U.S., allowing the U.S. to establish new military sites at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. It also reaffirms Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland and the territory's right to self-determination.
The agreement allows the U.S. to modernise and expand operations at its existing Pituffik Space Base while establishing new military sites at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the east coast.
The pact does not specify troop numbers or a timetable for the expansion. Details of the new facilities must also be agreed by Greenland, Denmark and the U.S., meaning Washington does not have unrestricted control over the sites.
Narsarsuaq was used as a U.S. military base during the Second World War and has a large runway with access to deep water. Mestersvig is a remote outpost currently used by the Danish Sirius Dog Sled Patrol.
The agreement also bars countries outside NATO from establishing manned or unmanned military installations or maintaining a persistent military presence in Greenland.
Greenlandic lawmaker Naaja Nathanielsen said she was relieved by the agreement but acknowledged that tensions in recent years had fuelled scepticism towards Washington.
“There has previously been a significant American presence in Greenland, so this is nothing new,” Nathanielsen told the press.
“However, in light of the unrest over the past few years, there is likely greater scepticism in Greenland.”
Some residents said a larger U.S. presence could strengthen security, while others voiced concerns about its impact on local communities.
Malene Vahl Rasmussen, mayor of Kujalleq municipality, where Narsarsuaq is located, said any U.S. military expansion must respect Greenlandic traditions and protect hunting and fishing.
“You can't simply say, 'Okay, we've signed this, so now we trust you again'. Trust really needs to be rebuilt within that partnership,” she told Reuters.
The agreement follows months of tension after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said he wanted the U.S. to acquire Greenland, citing national security concerns, the island's strategic Arctic location and its mineral resources.
At the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said the U.S. would immediately begin developing a larger military presence at suitable locations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the agreement as beneficial for the U.S., Denmark, Greenland, Europe and NATO. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called it a “win-win-win”.
Crucially, the pact does not transfer Greenlandic territory to the U.S. It explicitly recognises Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as Greenland's right to self-determination.
The agreement also provides for its continuation if Greenland becomes independent from Denmark, provided Greenland remains a NATO member.
The agreement must now be approved by the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments.
The 1951 defence agreement already allowed the U.S. to deploy troops in Greenland, where Washington currently maintains its military presence at Pituffik Space Base.
Trump has previously linked Greenland to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system. The new agreement mentions the project but contains no concrete proposal for its development in Greenland.
NATO welcomed the agreement, saying it would help advance security, stability and cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
For Greenland, the pact represents a shift from the tensions generated by Trump's earlier calls to acquire the island, creating a framework for a larger U.S. military presence while maintaining Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic oversight.
Azerbaijan Railways will increase train services between Baku and Tbilisi to four daily departures from 3 November, adding daytime journeys and cut...
Pakistan's four largest listed oil refineries saw their combined profits soar by more than 1,860 per cent in the quarter ending September 2026,...
The proposed Green Energy Corridor could carry renewable electricity from the Caspian to Europe. But a completed feasibility study is only the begi...
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education and living costs. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
A six-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-held Ukrainian town of Oleshky ended on Sunday, 1 November, after facilitating aid deliveries and civilian evacuations.
Thousands protested in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Saturday (31 October), demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over perceived corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government over a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
Saudi Aramco's acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in artificial intelligence (AI) company HUMAIN is putting a spotlight on a wider investment question: why are some of the world's biggest energy companies moving deeper into AI, and what do they expect to gain?
ADIPEC 2026, the world's largest energy event, opened in the UAE capital on Monday, bringing governments and energy companies together at a time of heavy pressure on global supply.
The U.S. administration has reportedly proposed restarting Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine as part of efforts to secure an energy ceasefire ahead of winter.
Israeli forces have withdrawn from the entire city of Hebron in the southern West Bank after a 10-day military operation that displaced thousands of Palestinians and left homes demolished, infrastructure damaged and businesses disrupted, according to the city's governor.
The United Nations is ending its 35-year peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara after the Security Council failed to agree on renewing its mandate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Sunday.
Kimi Antonelli became Formula One's youngest world champion at 20 years and 68 days old on Sunday when he finished third for Mercedes in a red-flagged and restarted Mexico City Grand Prix won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment