Greenland will not accept a US takeover under “any circumstance” and demanded NATO ensure its defense Monday amid President Trump’s desire to acquire the autonomous territory of Denmark.
“The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something the government coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances,” read a statement released by Greenland’s prime minister’s office.
Denmark’s PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a statement calling on NATO to for protection from the US. AP“Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the statement, obtained by multiple outlets, continued. “As a part of the Realm, Greenland is a member of NATO, and the defense of Greenland must therefore be insured through NATO.”
Trump, who has set his sights on Greenland for years, told reporters last week that he plans to make a deal for the US to take over Greenland – for national security purposes – one way or another.
“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” Trump said.
“I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way. And I am a fan of Denmark,” the president added.
President Trump has spoken about acquiring Greenland from Denmark. APTrump administration officials have declined to rule out the use of military force in Greenland, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying last week it “is always an option.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Monday that members of the transatlantic alliance have been discussing ways to keep the Arctic safe, but not from a US invasion.
“All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security,” Rutte said during a press conference in Croatia. “With sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active.”
Rutte noted that talks regarding Arctic security have been ongoing since last year, and member countries were now “discussing the next step to that, how to make sure that we give practical follow up on those discussions.”
The statement from Greenland’s government echoes Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D-Conn.) warning on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday.
“I mean, NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland,” Murphy said of an attempt to annex Greenland by the US. “And so query whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that if the US were to take Greenland by force it would be the end of NATO.
“If [Trump] were to take an action against Greenland, that would completely destroy NATO,” Warner said during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
