Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Speaking in Nuuk on Wednesday at the start of a three-day visit, Frederiksen said she was in Greenland to offer support during what she called a “very, very difficult situation.”
“The U.S. shall not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” she told reporters shortly after landing.
Her remarks followed a controversial visit by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who accused Denmark of failing to protect Greenland and suggested the U.S. could offer better security for the strategically important island.
Frederiksen’s visit comes as geopolitical interest in the Arctic region intensifies, with Washington increasing its focus on Greenland’s natural resources and military value.
“We need to discuss foreign and security policy, geopolitics, and how we approach this very, very difficult task together,” Frederiksen said, stressing unity and equality within the Danish realm.
She pledged to ensure equal rights for Greenlanders and Danes and committed to strengthening Copenhagen’s partnership with Greenland in the face of rising international pressure.
Greenland’s incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is set to take office on April 7, welcomed Frederiksen’s visit, calling Denmark “Greenland’s closest partner.”
Nielsen reaffirmed Greenland’s ultimate goal of sovereignty, telling Reuters:
“We will strengthen our ties with Denmark until we can fulfil our wish to become a sovereign nation.”
He added that Greenland seeks a “respectful” relationship with the U.S., but warned:
“Talking about annexation and not respecting our sovereignty is not respectful. Let’s start by respecting each other and build a partnership on that.”
Relations between Denmark and Greenland have been complicated by past revelations of colonial mistreatment, and Trump's interest in the island has reignited local concerns about foreign control.
Analyst Ulrik Pram Gad of the Danish Institute for International Studies said Frederiksen’s visit is a signal — both to Greenland and Washington.
“It’s important for Denmark to show it stands with Greenland — and to remind the U.S. of that too,” he said.
While a majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents support eventual independence, many remain wary of rapid separation due to concerns over economic vulnerability and U.S. pressure.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citi...
The 83rd Venice Film Festival has opened on the Lido, bringing Hollywood stars and leading filmmakers together for a programme dominated by war, po...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Thousands of residents of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the government’s handling of a migration crisis that followed a deadly border surge in July.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment