Greenland's opposition leader Pele Broberg has urged direct talks between Nuuk and Washington without Danish mediation as U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland resurfaces. Greenland is strategically important for missile defence and mineral resources, but Danish control of foreign and defence policy limits Nuuk's legal ability to negotiate independently. NATO and the EU have expressed concern and discussed strengthening Arctic security, while U.S. officials appear divided on how to pursue American objectives.
Greenland Opposition Urges Direct Talks With U.S. as Washington Revives Acquisition Idea
Pele Broberg, the leader of the Greenlandic political party Naleraq, attends an interview during a visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Tom Little
Greenland's main opposition leader has urged Nuuk to open direct talks with the United States without Denmark's involvement, amid renewed U.S. interest in acquiring the Arctic island. The call comes as strategic and political tensions mount over Greenland's role in Arctic security and access to critical mineral resources.
What Happened
Pele Broberg, leader of the pro-independence Naleraq party, told Reuters that Greenland should "have a dialogue with the U.S. government without Denmark," arguing Copenhagen's mediation is antagonising both sides. The comments follow a revived suggestion from U.S. President Donald Trump — first raised in 2019 — that the United States should pursue control of Greenland.
Strategic Importance
Greenland sits between Europe and North America and hosts facilities and territory of interest to U.S. ballistic missile defence and broader Arctic operations. The island also has notable mineral deposits, which Washington views as important for reducing reliance on China for critical resources.
Political and Legal Context
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own parliament and government. However, Copenhagen retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defence, which Greenlandic officials say legally prevents Nuuk from conducting independent negotiations with other states.
Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt told the Sermitsiaq daily that direct talks with the U.S. without Danish involvement are not legally possible: "We must respect the law, and we have rules for how to resolve issues in the Kingdom."
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows eastern Greenland, September 18, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo
Local Politics: Naleraq and Independence Options
Naleraq, which advocates a rapid transition to full independence, increased its representation to eight seats in the most recent election and won about 25% of the vote in the island's population of roughly 57,000. Although not in government, the party has proposed pursuing a defence agreement or a "free association" arrangement with the U.S. — a model that would grant Greenland U.S. support and military access while stopping short of U.S. statehood.
International Reactions
Denmark and Greenland have sought to defuse tensions through diplomacy. A planned meeting between the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio aims to stabilise relations and channel debates into formal diplomatic channels, officials say.
NATO ambassadors in Brussels described a "cordial" discussion about Greenland and broadly agreed the alliance should strengthen its Arctic deterrence and presence. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc is "extremely concerned" and is considering how it would respond if U.S. plans to acquire Greenland were to proceed.
Washington Divisions and Domestic Reactions
Comments from U.S. officials suggest differing approaches inside the administration. Reports indicate Secretary of State Marco Rubio may not favour military action, while other U.S. figures have not ruled out stronger measures. U.S. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News: "We are going to make sure we defend America's interests... the president is willing to go as far as he has to make sure he does that."
Back in Denmark, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen highlighted Denmark's past military contributions alongside the U.S., posting an image of a fallen Danish soldier to underscore shared sacrifices in Afghanistan and Iraq. Symbolically, Copenhagen's Tivoli amusement park flew the Greenlandic flag — a rare public gesture reflecting the episode's emotional resonance.
Outlook
The coming ministerial meeting is expected to focus on normalising diplomatic relations and clarifying legal and political pathways. While Greenlandic parties broadly support independence in principle, they remain divided on timing and method — and Denmark's legal role in foreign and defence affairs will be central to any future negotiations with external powers.
Reporting: Tom Little, Stine Jacobsen, Soren Jeppesen and others. Editing: Ed Osmond, Ros Russell and Hugh Lawson.
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