A chilling warning echoed from Copenhagen this week as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that a U.S. takeover of Greenland would shatter the NATO alliance. The stark statement followed renewed, unsettling comments from President Trump regarding the strategic Arctic island, coming on the heels of a dramatic military operation in Venezuela that left the world on edge.
The weekend’s events in Caracas – a daring, overnight attempt to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro – sent shockwaves globally, and ignited deep anxieties in Denmark and Greenland. As a semiautonomous territory within the Danish kingdom, Greenland’s fate is inextricably linked to NATO’s security, making the situation profoundly serious.
Frederiksen, alongside Greenland’s leader Jens Frederik Nielsen, forcefully condemned Trump’s assertions, predicting catastrophic consequences should the U.S. pursue control of the island. Support poured in from across Europe, signaling widespread concern over the escalating rhetoric.
“If the United States were to attack another NATO country militarily,” Frederiksen stated bluntly, “everything changes.” She warned that the security framework that has underpinned stability since the end of World War II would be irrevocably compromised.
Adding to the tension, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, even during his transition into office and the early months of his second term. His recent suggestion of revisiting the issue “in 20 days” has fueled fears of an imminent intervention.
Frederiksen insists Trump’s ambitions must be taken seriously, emphasizing that Denmark and Greenland will not tolerate being threatened. Nielsen, however, urged calm amongst the Greenlandic population, stressing that an overnight takeover is unlikely, while simultaneously advocating for continued cooperation.
Political analysts note a significant shift in Frederiksen’s tone. Previously dismissing the idea of a U.S. takeover, she now acknowledges the possibility, reflecting the escalating gravity of the situation and the unpredictable nature of Trump’s pronouncements.
Trump further inflamed tensions by derisively questioning Denmark’s security efforts in Greenland, sarcastically suggesting they’ve bolstered their defenses with “one more dog sled.” He claimed the island is swarming with Russian and Chinese vessels, a claim disputed by security experts.
Ulrik Pram Gad, a global security expert, revealed that while Russian and Chinese ships are present in the Arctic, they are far too distant to be observed from Greenland, even with binoculars. This casts doubt on the justification Trump uses to support his claims.
The situation was further aggravated by a provocative social media post from a former Trump administration official, depicting Greenland draped in the American flag with the caption “SOON.” Denmark’s ambassador to Washington swiftly demanded respect for the Kingdom’s territorial integrity.
The U.S. already maintains a significant military presence in Greenland through the Pituffik Space Base, established in 1951. This base supports critical missile warning and space surveillance operations for both the U.S. and NATO, highlighting the existing strategic importance of the island.
Denmark’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. includes substantial military purchases, like F-35 fighter jets, and recent legislation granting U.S. forces broader access to Danish bases. However, critics argue this legislation erodes Danish sovereignty, granting the U.S. excessive influence.
