Denmark and US Tensions Continue Amid NATO Deployments in Greenland

Denmark has reported a “fundamental disagreement” following a crucial meeting with the United States regarding Greenland. This comes as several nations, including Germany, announced plans to send military personnel to the Arctic island.

In Washington, foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They reached an agreement to form a working group that will convene in the coming weeks to discuss future strategies. However, the US has not softened its stance on its demands. Germany’s “exploration mission” is set to arrive in Nuuk on Thursday, marking a significant step as European nations strategize on ensuring security in the region.

“For us, any proposals that do not respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination for the people of Greenland are completely unacceptable. Thus, we still face a fundamental disagreement,” stated Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to reporters after the discussions on Wednesday. “Nonetheless, we will continue our dialogue.”

Read more: Trade and War Worries Haunt Davos as World Seen ‘on a Precipice’: WEF Survey

This meeting was a crucial attempt by Denmark and Greenland to persuade the US administration that there is no need for the US to take control of the Arctic island, a semi-autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. This situation has been exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s previous threats to acquire Greenland. Danish media have characterized this meeting as one of the most pivotal moments for the Kingdom since World War II.

When asked for a response to the meeting, the vice president’s office referred to Trump’s earlier social media posts reiterating his demand for the US to take control of Greenland for national security purposes. The White House redirected inquiries back to the vice president’s office.

On Wednesday, Denmark announced plans to enhance its military presence in the far North, indicating that military drills with NATO allies would become a permanent fixture.

Germany is dispatching 13 personnel to Nuuk from January 15 to 17 to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region, particularly for maritime surveillance capabilities,” as stated by the German Defense Ministry. Sweden, Norway, and the UK have also confirmed they will send military personnel.

Bloomberg reported that Germany is planning to propose establishing a joint North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission to monitor and safeguard security interests in the Arctic region. The decision to send armed forces personnel to the world’s largest island as early as this week underscores the urgency with which European nations are responding to US threats regarding Greenland.

The Danish government argues that a comprehensive defense agreement from 1951 already permits the US to utilize the territory for defense purposes, making any takeover unnecessary. This was the basis on which Denmark attempted to convince the US, albeit unsuccessfully.

“We agreed that it makes sense to engage in high-level discussions to explore whether we can address the president’s concerns while simultaneously respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Rasmussen remarked. “Whether that’s achievable — I hope so, and I would like to express that it could help to de-escalate tensions.”

Photograph: An offshore Royal Danish Naval patrol vessel docks at the Port of Nuuk in Nuuk, Greenland. Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

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USA

Denmark has reported a “fundamental disagreement” following a crucial meeting with the United States regarding Greenland. This comes as several nations, including Germany, announced plans to send military personnel to the Arctic island.

In Washington, foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They reached an agreement to form a working group that will convene in the coming weeks to discuss future strategies. However, the US has not softened its stance on its demands. Germany’s “exploration mission” is set to arrive in Nuuk on Thursday, marking a significant step as European nations strategize on ensuring security in the region.

“For us, any proposals that do not respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination for the people of Greenland are completely unacceptable. Thus, we still face a fundamental disagreement,” stated Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to reporters after the discussions on Wednesday. “Nonetheless, we will continue our dialogue.”

Read more: Trade and War Worries Haunt Davos as World Seen ‘on a Precipice’: WEF Survey

This meeting was a crucial attempt by Denmark and Greenland to persuade the US administration that there is no need for the US to take control of the Arctic island, a semi-autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. This situation has been exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s previous threats to acquire Greenland. Danish media have characterized this meeting as one of the most pivotal moments for the Kingdom since World War II.

When asked for a response to the meeting, the vice president’s office referred to Trump’s earlier social media posts reiterating his demand for the US to take control of Greenland for national security purposes. The White House redirected inquiries back to the vice president’s office.

On Wednesday, Denmark announced plans to enhance its military presence in the far North, indicating that military drills with NATO allies would become a permanent fixture.

Germany is dispatching 13 personnel to Nuuk from January 15 to 17 to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region, particularly for maritime surveillance capabilities,” as stated by the German Defense Ministry. Sweden, Norway, and the UK have also confirmed they will send military personnel.

Bloomberg reported that Germany is planning to propose establishing a joint North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission to monitor and safeguard security interests in the Arctic region. The decision to send armed forces personnel to the world’s largest island as early as this week underscores the urgency with which European nations are responding to US threats regarding Greenland.

The Danish government argues that a comprehensive defense agreement from 1951 already permits the US to utilize the territory for defense purposes, making any takeover unnecessary. This was the basis on which Denmark attempted to convince the US, albeit unsuccessfully.

“We agreed that it makes sense to engage in high-level discussions to explore whether we can address the president’s concerns while simultaneously respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Rasmussen remarked. “Whether that’s achievable — I hope so, and I would like to express that it could help to de-escalate tensions.”

Photograph: An offshore Royal Danish Naval patrol vessel docks at the Port of Nuuk in Nuuk, Greenland. Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics
USA