Danish Prime Minister Releases Statement-Open To Expanding Defense On Greenland

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Denmark has signaled its willingness to allow the United States to expand its presence in Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Monday. The statement comes as Frederiksen seeks to ease rising tensions between Denmark and the Trump administration over the strategic Arctic territory.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, already hosts Thule Air Base, a U.S. military installation responsible for space monitoring and missile threat detection. Speaking to reporters ahead of a European Union leaders meeting in Brussels, Frederiksen stated that the U.S. “can have more possibilities” for a stronger footprint in Greenland, emphasizing the growing importance of the Arctic region in defense strategy.

“I totally agree with the Americans that the High North, the Arctic region, is becoming more and more important when we are talking about defense and security and deterrence,” Frederiksen said. She added that Denmark, alongside NATO, is open to increasing its presence in the region.

Frederiksen also reiterated Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, clarifying that while the country is willing to work with the United States on security matters, Greenland itself is “not for sale.”

The remarks come amid heightened diplomatic tensions following President Donald Trump’s renewed push for the U.S. to take control of Greenland. The administration has framed the proposal as a matter of national security, citing the region’s increasing geopolitical significance and its wealth of natural resources. Frederiksen has sought support from European allies, recently meeting with leaders from France, Germany, and Nordic countries to discuss the situation. Greenland is expected to be a key topic at the upcoming EU discussions.

As a self-governing entity within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland maintains control over most domestic policies, while Denmark retains authority over its defense and security. In response to the shifting geopolitical landscape in the Arctic, Denmark is investing 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the region.

Frederiksen also addressed comments made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had questioned Denmark’s reliability as an ally. Rejecting those assertions, she defended Denmark’s long-standing cooperation with the U.S. and NATO.

“We have fought side by side with the Americans for many, many decades,” Frederiksen told Danish reporters during a separate briefing. “I will not accept the notion that Denmark is a bad ally. We are not, we have not been, and we will not be in the future.”

The Arctic has become a growing focus point for global powers, with the United States, Russia, and China all increasing their strategic interests in the region. The U.S. has previously raised concerns over Chinese investment in Greenland’s infrastructure, citing security risks.

While Frederiksen’s comments suggest an openness to increased military cooperation, it remains unclear how negotiations between Denmark and the U.S. will proceed regarding Trump’s broader ambitions for Greenland. The situation continues to develop as discussions among European leaders and NATO allies unfold.

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