Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers held tense, under-90-minute talks at the White House with U.S. officials but made no immediate progress on U.S. plans to secure Greenland. Denmark announced an immediate boost to its military presence on the island and launched exercises with allied participation. President Trump urged NATO support for U.S. plans, while Copenhagen and Nuuk emphasized that Greenlanders must decide their own future.
Tense White House Talks Over Greenland End Without Breakthrough — Denmark Bolsters Defenses
Greenland's prime minister has said the Arctic territory does not want to become part of the United States (Alessandro RAMPAZZO)(Alessandro RAMPAZZO/AFP/AFP)
Top diplomats from Denmark and Greenland held high-stakes talks at the White House but left after under 90 minutes with no immediate breakthrough on U.S. proposals to secure Greenland. The brief meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored growing tensions over the Arctic island's future and strategic value.
Key Developments
Immediate Danish Response: Earlier the same day, Copenhagen announced an immediate increase in its military presence on Greenland, launching exercises and deploying aircraft, vessels and soldiers. Denmark said it has invested nearly $14 billion in Arctic security measures and invited Swedish officers to participate in the exercises.
U.S. Position: President Donald Trump repeated his call for NATO support for a U.S. effort to secure Greenland for a proposed "Golden Dome" air and missile defense system, warning that "Russia or China" might otherwise move in. The White House also posted a provocative image on X asking, "Which way, Greenland man?" showing contrasting dogsleds heading toward U.S. and Russia/China symbols.
"Anything less than that is unacceptable. IF WE DON'T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!" — President Donald Trump (Truth Social)
Local Reaction and Geopolitical Stakes
In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, residents displayed red-and-white Greenlandic flags in a public show of unity as Nuuk and Copenhagen stressed that any change to Greenland's status should be decided by Greenlanders themselves. Greenland's leadership has said the island prefers to remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Denmark and Greenland warned that any unilateral U.S. attempt to seize or militarily occupy a NATO ally would damage the transatlantic alliance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said an attack on a NATO member would threaten the alliance's future. The United States already operates a base at Pituffik in northern Greenland and maintains agreements allowing U.S. forces on the island.
Context
Moscow and Beijing have increased Arctic activity as climate change opens new routes and resources, but neither country claims Greenland. The island's population is about 57,000. The diplomatic exchanges and military moves reflect broader strategic competition in the Arctic and potential strains within NATO over how to respond.
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