Danish and Greenlandic ministers will meet US Vice President JD Vance at the White House to calm tensions after provocative US remarks about Greenland's status and an uninvited visit to the island. The talks aim to resolve "misunderstandings" over Greenland's defence, Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic, and relations between Nuuk and Copenhagen. Denmark says it has invested nearly 90 billion kroner (~$14 billion) to strengthen its Arctic military presence and is coordinating with NATO on a more permanent defence posture.
Denmark and Greenland Meet US Vice President at White House to Defuse Arctic Tensions
Nuuk, Greenland (Odd ANDERSEN)(Odd ANDERSEN/AFP/AFP)
Danish and Greenlandic officials will meet at the White House on Wednesday with US Vice President JD Vance to address escalating tensions over Greenland's future and Arctic security. The talks follow provocative remarks from US political figures about Greenland's status and an uninvited visit by Vance to the island earlier this year.
Background
Former US President Donald Trump has previously promoted the idea of buying or annexing Greenland, and recent comments that the United States would take the territory "one way or the other" have inflamed diplomatic concerns. In response, Denmark and Greenland jointly requested talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Vice President Vance asked to join and host the meeting at the White House.
After Mr. Trump repeated suggestions about Greenland in early 2025, Vance made an uninvited trip to Greenland in March. Following protests in Copenhagen and Nuuk, the visit was limited to the US Pituffik (Thule) military base in northwestern Greenland. During that brief stay, Vance publicly criticized Denmark's commitment to Greenland and Arctic security, calling Copenhagen a "bad ally." His comments prompted strong rebukes from Danish and regional leaders.
What the Talks Will Cover
The White House meeting aims to "clear up misunderstandings" between Nuuk, Copenhagen and Washington. Key issues expected on the agenda include:
- Greenland's defence arrangements and the role of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Concerns about Chinese and Russian activity and broader military presence in the Arctic
- How NATO and allied partners will contribute to security and a more permanent defence posture in Greenland
"The purpose is to move the entire discussion... into a meeting room, where you can look each other in the eye and talk through these issues," said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Rasmussen will travel with Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt. Motzfeldt and Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen are also due to meet the NATO Secretary General on January 19 to discuss Arctic security. Both Copenhagen and Nuuk have said they expect NATO to play a central role in Greenland's defence, and Denmark has highlighted recent investments to strengthen its Arctic military presence.
Investments and Alliance Planning
Denmark says it has committed almost 90 billion kroner (roughly $14 billion) to bolster its military footprint in the Arctic. Danish officials have announced plans for a more permanent and larger presence in Greenland by Danish forces, with potential participation from allies. NATO diplomats say alliance members have discussed ideas for new measures or missions in the region, although no formal proposals have yet been tabled.
The White House meeting is meant to reduce misunderstandings, stabilize ties within the Kingdom of Denmark, and ensure clarity about allied commitments in an increasingly strategic Arctic.
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