Danes Growing Uneasy Over Russian Activity as U.S. Reengages With Greenland

In Copenhagen, several residents told CBS News they are increasingly worried about Denmark's security, citing what they perceive as a growing threat from nearby Russia and doubts about the reliability of the Trump White House as a partner.

U.S. Visit to Greenland

Kenneth Howery, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Denmark, visited Nuuk this week for his first trip to the Danish-controlled but self-governing territory of Greenland. In a post on X, he said he and officials from Greenland and Denmark "renewed our commitment to a strong and mutually beneficial relationship" after a Monday meeting.

Tensions Over Greenland

The meeting follows strains in U.S.-Danish ties after President Donald Trump revived his long-standing interest in acquiring Greenland. The White House has argued that greater U.S. involvement in Greenland would serve national security interests; critics say Mr. Trump has left open the possibility of using force to secure the territory, a suggestion that heightened concern in Denmark despite its NATO membership.

Rising Public Concern

Many Danes say recent events have shaken their sense of safety. Hanne Mortensen, a Copenhagen resident who spoke to CBS News, said she once regarded the United States as "the ideal of democracy" but now worries it is "more and more autocratic." She added that this is especially troubling given an increase in Russian activity near European airspace.

"I saw this big map yesterday on TV with how much the Russians are coming closer and that worries me," Mortensen said, though she emphasized she would not want the U.S. to take over Greenland despite security concerns.

Denmark consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries, but recent weeks have seen a spate of unsettling incidents. Several European nations have reported unidentified drones near critical infrastructure after reported Russian drone and fighter-jet incursions into Poland, Romania and Estonia. Some NATO allies view these episodes as part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare by Russia.

In September, Copenhagen Airport suspended flights after observers reported unidentified drones near runways. Russia denied responsibility, and the Russian Embassy in Denmark described the reports as "a staged provocation," warning that such incidents could be used to justify escalations by parties seeking to widen the conflict in Ukraine.

Older Danes said memories of World War II amplify their fears. A 70-year-old woman told CBS News, "The Russians have to go through Denmark to come to Europe... we remember those days, and we have heard about the war and the difficulties and all the horror that goes with war." Another Copenhagen resident, Thomas Geuken, recalled his 90-year-old father-in-law saying, "It's half empty because of the war in Ukraine and Russia. So it plays a big part in our thinking."

Officials from the U.S., Denmark and Greenland presented their meeting as a reaffirmation of cooperation, but public unease underscores how geopolitical tensions and political rhetoric continue to shape perceptions of security in a country long regarded as stable and content.