Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark and Greenland will engage in Arctic security talks only if Greenland's territorial integrity is respected and Greenland is included in negotiations. Her comments follow U.S. President Donald Trump's softened remarks at Davos about acquiring Greenland and his reference to a U.S. "Golden Dome" missile‑defence concept. The United States retains a presence at Pituffik air base under a 1951 agreement, while Greenland has had the right since 2009 to pursue independence after a referendum and Danish parliamentary approval.
Denmark Insists Greenland's Territorial Integrity Be Respected In Arctic Security Talks
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrives at the Foreign Policy Committee meeting at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Denmark, January 20, 2026. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that Denmark and Greenland are open to constructive discussions about security in the Arctic, but any talks must respect Greenland's territorial integrity and involve Greenland itself.
Her comments followed remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos in which U.S. President Donald Trump softened earlier suggestions about acquiring Greenland, said he would not use force, and described progress toward resolving disagreements over the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Trump also spoke about a proposed U.S. "Golden Dome" missile-defence concept as part of wider discussions on Arctic security.
Arctic Security A Matter For NATO
Frederiksen said NATO understands Denmark's position and that conversations she has been briefed on did not impinge on Danish sovereignty. She underlined that security in the Arctic concerns the whole NATO alliance and that allies should consult with Denmark and Greenland.
Danish soldiers land at Nuuk airport, January 19. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix
"Security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire NATO alliance. The Kingdom of Denmark wishes to continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the United States' Golden Dome, provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity." — Mette Frederiksen
U.S. Presence And The Pituffik Air Base
The United States maintained thousands of troops on Greenland during the Cold War but has significantly reduced its footprint in recent decades. The U.S. continues to have a permanent presence at the Pituffik (Thule) air base in northwest Greenland under a 1951 agreement that also allows the U.S. to construct bases provided it notifies Denmark and Greenland.
Greenland's Autonomy And Role In Talks
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and enjoys wide internal autonomy, though foreign affairs and defence remain, in practice, Denmark's responsibility unless Greenland and Denmark agree otherwise. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to pursue full independence after a referendum and approval by the Danish parliament.
"It is of course only Denmark and Greenland itself that can strike agreements regarding questions concerning Denmark and Greenland." — Mette Frederiksen
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, emphasized that Greenland must be directly involved in any negotiations affecting the island. "NATO in no way has a sole mandate to negotiate anything without us from Greenland," she said.
This episode underscores growing international attention on the Arctic's strategic importance, its natural resources, and the need to balance allied security cooperation with respect for sovereignty and local participation.
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