U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday accused Denmark of failing to adequately protect Greenland and suggested the U.S. would be better suited to secure the semi-autonomous Danish territory. His remarks come as President Donald Trump continues to advocate for a U.S. takeover of Greenland.
During a visit to the U.S. military base at Pituffik in northern Greenland, Vance claimed Denmark had not devoted sufficient resources to protect the island from "aggressive incursions" by Russia, China, and other nations. Though he provided no details, Vance asserted that the U.S. would increase its investment in the region, including deploying additional naval ships.
While Vance pledged to respect Greenland’s sovereignty, he also suggested the territory would eventually recognize the benefits of partnering more closely with the U.S.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized Vance’s remarks, calling them "unfair" and highlighting Denmark’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. under challenging circumstances. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen acknowledged some shortcomings but argued that the U.S. had also reduced its military presence since the Cold War.
Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, expressed concern over Vance’s visit, describing it as disrespectful and asserting Greenland’s right to self-determination.
The U.S. maintains a military base at Pituffik under a 1951 agreement, which allows visits with prior notification to Greenland and Copenhagen. Pituffik is considered essential for U.S. ballistic missile warning systems and sits along a critical route between Europe and North America.
President Trump reiterated the importance of Greenland for U.S. and global security, stating that the island is vital for "peace of the entire world." He suggested the U.S. would not rely on Denmark or any other nation to secure the area.
Despite U.S. assurances of respecting Greenland's sovereignty, anti-American protests have erupted across the island, with demonstrators wearing "Make America Go Away" caps and displaying "Yankees Go Home" banners. Local sentiments remain overwhelmingly opposed to U.S. control.
Meta Platforms on Wednesday launched its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, seeking to extend the momentum of its Ray-Ban lin...
Entrepreneur Nelson Yang is reaching back into Taiwan's history to turn the humble banana plant into an unlikely sustainable textile. Taiwan is now th...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 18th of September, covering the latest developments you need t...
Walt Disney-owned ABC said on Wednesday it was pulling 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' off the air, over comments by the late-night show's host about the assassin...
Thai police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday, authorities in both countries said. ...
Meta Platforms on Wednesday launched its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, seeking to extend the momentum of its Ray-Ban line, one of the early consumer hits of the artificial intelligence (AI) era.
Entrepreneur Nelson Yang is reaching back into Taiwan's history to turn the humble banana plant into an unlikely sustainable textile. Taiwan is now the world's dominant producer of advanced semiconductors but the yellow fruit, still widely grown on the island, was once a source of patriotic pride.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 18th of September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Thai police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday, authorities in both countries said. It's the most significant escalation since they declared a ceasefire to end a deadly five-day conflict in July.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 18th of September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Thai police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian civilians in a disputed border area on Wednesday, authorities in both countries said. It's the most significant escalation since they declared a ceasefire to end a deadly five-day conflict in July.
Cuba has called for the United Nations to stop the United States from starting a war in the region, amid rising tensions due to a military build-up in the Caribbean to counter drug cartels.
Denmark did not invite the U.S. military to take part in Arctic Light 2025, the largest military exercise in Greenland's modern history, as NATO allies step up defence cooperation in the Arctic amid U.S. interest in the island.
NATO has strengthened its security to safeguard undersea infrastructure, since a suspected sabotage in January this year in the Baltic Sea. The alliance now deploys air and naval patrols, and warns that attacks will not go unpunished.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment