The United States will not assume control over Greenland, as the territory rightfully belongs to its people. This assertion was made by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen upon her arrival in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Wednesday.
She emphasised that this statement is a clear message that will be conveyed jointly with the Greenlandic authorities. According to Prime Minister Frederiksen, discussions concerning foreign and security policy will take place with the new Greenlandic government, wherein she highlighted the necessity of collaboratively addressing the complex challenges that lie ahead.
Before the Prime Minister’s visit, Vivian Motzfeldt, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Greenlandic government, criticised her arrival, suggesting that it was an inopportune time given that the local parliament had not formally sworn in the government. Due to the absence of an established government, Greenland had previously declined a meeting with a US delegation.
When approached by journalists about this matter, Frederiksen assured that she would make every effort to support Greenland in navigating the difficult circumstances it currently faces. US President Donald Trump has articulated several times since the beginning of his second term the necessity of acquiring control over the island.
The Greenlandic government is anticipated to receive parliamentary approval on Monday. The Danish newspaper Berlingske has characterised Frederiksen’s visit to Greenland as challenging, particularly in the context of US Vice President JD Vance‘s recent visit to a US military space base on the island, where Vance criticised Denmark for its delays in military investment in Greenland.
A primary goal of the new government in Nuuk is to negotiate with Copenhagen in order to enhance its rights within the Kingdom, which comprises Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Greenlandic politicians are particularly interested in securing the authority to make final decisions on Arctic affairs. Simultaneously, the Democratic Party, which emerged victorious in the most recent parliamentary elections under the leadership of Nielsen, does not advocate for an immediate declaration of independence from Denmark, instead prioritising the achievement of economic independence first.
