A protest in Greenland. Photo: Christian Klindt Soelbeck / AFP
Key points:
- Donald Trump insists that the US should take control of Greenland for the sake of global security.
- Vice President J.D. Vance arrives on the island to meet with the US military.
- Denmark and the Greenlandic authorities strongly oppose the US plans.
- Protests were held in Greenland’s cities under the slogan “Yankees Go Home”.
The US is returning to the idea of controlling Greenland
President Donald Trump has reiterated Washington’s desire to take control of Greenland, arguing that it is a strategic necessity for the United States and the world. This was reported by Reuters.
“We will do whatever it takes. We need Greenland, and the world needs it to be under US control,”Trump said on Wednesday.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has vast reserves of minerals, oil and gas, and is a strategic point for the US military presence in the Arctic.
However, Copenhagen and the local authorities reject any attempts at American influence, and the island’s residents have come out in mass protests.
Vance’s visit: Washington is testing the waters
On Friday , US Vice President J.D. Vance will visit the US military base Pituffik in Greenland. He will be accompanied by a delegation:
- Mike Waltz is a national security adviser;
- Chris Wright is the Minister of Energy;
- Usha Vance is the wife of the Vice President.
Although he had previously been scheduled to meet with local residents, the itinerary was changed following criticism from Denmark and protests in Greenland.
The US Pituffic base plays a key role in the nuclear early warning system and is located on the shortest route between Europe and North America.
Greenland and Denmark’s resistance
Danish Prime Minister Mete Frederiksen strongly condemned the US plans, calling them “unacceptable“. The Greenlandic authorities are also outraged that Washington is trying to impose its policy without consulting the locals.
Protesters in the capital Nuuk came out with banners reading “Make America Go Away ” and “Yankees Go Home”. Greenlandic flags with the inscription “Our land is our future” were placed in the snow.
Opinion polls show that 90% of Greenlanders are against joining the United States.
What’s next?
Experts suggest that the US will continue to put pressure on Greenland using diplomatic and economic levers.
“A military scenario is unlikely, but the White House could use financial leverage and semi-official visits,” said Norwegian expert Andreas Ostgagen.
Against this backdrop, Russia is building up its military presence in the Arctic, and Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that the US plans for Greenland are serious but do not pose a threat to Russia.
Discussions about the island’s fate continue, but Greenland and Denmark’s position remains firm: the island is not for sale.
