Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that Denmark is at a “decisive moment” over the future of Greenland following renewed threats by US President Donald Trump to seize the Arctic territory by force.
Speaking ahead of meetings in Washington, DC, on global competition for critical raw materials, Frederiksen said an open conflict has emerged over Greenland, with implications that extend far beyond the island itself.
“This is a decisive moment,” she said during a debate with other Danish political leaders, stressing that the issue concerns not only Greenland but broader international principles.
In a post on social media, Frederiksen said Denmark was “ready to defend our values, wherever it is necessary – including in the Arctic,” emphasizing the country’s commitment to international law and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Trump’s latest comments have prompted strong reactions across Europe, with Germany and Sweden voicing firm support for Denmark. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned what he described as threatening rhetoric from Washington after Trump said the United States would “do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not.”
“Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European nations stand together with our Danish friends,” Kristersson said at a defence conference attended by NATO’s top US general. He warned that any US takeover of mineral-rich Greenland would violate international law and set a dangerous precedent.
Germany also reiterated its backing for Denmark and Greenland ahead of talks in Washington, noting that Arctic security is becoming increasingly important and is a shared strategic concern within NATO.
Meanwhile, reports from the United Kingdom suggest that military leaders from several European countries are discussing contingency plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland. These early talks reportedly include options for deploying troops, warships, and aircraft to protect the territory amid rising tensions involving Russia and China.
UK officials described the discussions as routine, particularly in relation to deterring Russian activity in the Arctic, a region that is becoming increasingly contested.
Belgium’s defence minister has also called for a NATO operation in the Arctic to address growing security risks, arguing that unity and collective action within the alliance are essential. He suggested that existing NATO monitoring missions could serve as a template for an Arctic-focused operation.
Trump has repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland is vital to American national security, citing increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.
Greenland, a former Danish colony until 1953, later gained home rule and has steadily expanded its autonomy. While some political leaders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show that the vast majority of Greenlanders oppose any takeover by the United States.
