In recent days, a shocking declaration by US President Donald Trump concerning Greenland has gone around the world’s media. Trump escalated his threats against this Danish territory, setting a two-month deadline for resolving the question of its takeover. Is this the beginning of a new era of international tensions? We analyze the facts, reactions and context of this controversial affair.
Trump Escalates His Threats
President Trump stated that the United States „needs” Greenland for reasons of national security. In his comments, he stressed that the US will „take care of Greenland in about two months” and will „talk about it in 20 days”. These are not the first such statements – Trump had previously expressed interest in buying or taking over this strategic territory. This time, however, the threats took on a new dimension after a recent US military operation in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro was captured. Many analysts fear that Greenland could become another target of American expansion.
Trump did not spare criticism of Denmark, mocking its contribution to the defense of Greenland. He said the country had added „one more dog sled” to its protection, which was meant to highlight the alleged weakness of Danish forces. He also added that „the European Union needs us to have it, and they know it”. The escalation followed a provocative post on social media by Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller. The post showed Greenland in the colors of the US flag with the word „SOON”, which sparked international outrage.
International Reactions
Trump’s statements met with a sharp response from Denmark and its allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen gave the strongest reply, stating: „It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland”. She stressed that the US „has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Kingdom of Denmark” and called on Washington to „stop threatening a historically close ally”. Frederiksen also warned that a US attack on a NATO ally „would mean the end of the alliance itself”.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, responded firmly: „That is enough for now. End the pressure. End the insinuations. End the fantasies of annexation”. Denmark’s ambassador to the US stressed the need for „full respect for the territorial integrity” of the Kingdom of Denmark.
All the Nordic countries expressed solidarity with Denmark. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declared: „Only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. Sweden fully stands behind its neighbor”. Similarly, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre confirmed: „Greenland is an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark” and expressed „full solidarity”. Within hours of Trump’s comments, Finland and Iceland also backed Denmark.
Support for Denmark also came from the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he „stands with” Frederiksen and that „only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark” should decide the future of the territory. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to „national sovereignty” and „territorial integrity”.
Historical and Strategic Context
Greenland is an autonomous territory forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark, alongside Denmark itself and the Faroe Islands. As a NATO member, Denmark plays a key role in Atlantic defense. The United States has long maintained military bases on Greenland, which makes the territory a strategic point in the Arctic. However, the idea of annexation is controversial, as it would violate fundamental principles of international law.
Is Trump’s two-month deadline a bluff or a real threat? The world is watching with tension, and the consequences for NATO and transatlantic relations could be far-reaching.
Source: Daily Express US
Update
According to the latest unconfirmed reports – President Trump is considering paying each Greenlander between 10,000 and 100,000 dollars in exchange for Greenland passing under US jurisdiction.
