Copenhagen, 06 January (H.S.): Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stern warning to the United States on Monday, declaring that any attempt to take Greenland by force would shatter 80 years of transatlantic security and spell the end of the NATO military alliance.

The alert comes after President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to annex the mineral-rich Arctic territory, sparking alarm across Europe and intensifying diplomatic tensions between Washington and its traditional allies.

Greenland’s Strategic Importance

Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, holds untapped rare earth deposits and is poised to become a pivotal player as polar ice melts, opening new shipping routes and military corridors. The US maintains a military base on the island, and Washington has long argued that Greenland is vital for national security, particularly as Russian and Chinese ships increasingly patrol its waters.

However, Denmark and Greenland’s leaders have made it clear that any change in status must happen through dialogue and respect for international law, not military force.

European and Global Solidarity

European leaders have rallied behind Denmark, with the EU and countries such as the UK, France, Finland, Sweden, and Norway issuing statements in support of Greenland’s territorial integrity.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed that “only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark” can decide the territory’s future, while EU officials reiterated that borders cannot be changed by force.

French officials added that their country feels “solidarity” with Denmark, emphasizing that the situation is not a matter for external intervention.

Greenland’s Direct Response

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen addressed Trump directly on social media, stating, “That’s enough now. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation”. He emphasized Greenland’s openness to dialogue but insisted that negotiations must occur through proper channels and with respect for international law.

Nielsen also urged against panic, noting that the United States cannot conquer Greenland and that the focus should be on restoring cooperation.

Escalating Tensions and Warnings

Trump’s renewed threats follow the US military intervention in Venezuela, which has heightened fears that Greenland could be next on the administration’s list of targets. Denmark’s ambassador to Washington, Jesper Moeller Soerensen, reiterated that the two nations are close allies and should continue to work together, but warned that any aggressive action would have dire consequences for global security.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar