Greenland Chief Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that people should not worry about the risk of the US soon occupying this island, as US President Donald Trump continues to express interest in Greenland.
Speaking at a press conference in Nuuk on January 5, Mr. Nielsen emphasized that Greenland is seeking to strengthen relations with the United States and is not in a situation where it could be taken over in a short time.
According to Mr. Nielsen, Greenland cannot be compared to Venezuela. Responding to concerns arising after the US military campaign to arrest Venezuelan leaders, he affirmed that there is no basis to believe that a similar scenario will happen in Greenland.
Previously, US President Donald Trump repeatedly declared his desire for Greenland to belong to the US, saying that this island is necessary for defense goals.
In a press interview on Air Force One, Mr. Trump said he would return to discussing the Greenland issue in the next few weeks. In The Atlantic magazine, Mr. Trump was quoted as saying that the US "needs Greenland for defense".
On social network Facebook, Mr. Nielsen expressed a tougher stance, affirming that it is time to end the "fusion illusions". This view was also supported by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Ms. Frederiksen said that it is necessary to be serious about Mr. Trump's statement, and emphasized that Greenland has repeatedly declared that it does not want to become part of the United States.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of about 57,000 people. Although not an independent member of NATO, the island is still protected as a member of Denmark in this military alliance, of which the US is also a member. Ms. Frederiksen noted that if the US attacks another NATO country, the entire alliance structure will be disrupted.
President Trump recently appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Special Envoy for Greenland. Mr. Landry publicly supports bringing Greenland into the US.
Greenland has a strategic position between Europe and North America, playing an important role in the US missile defense system, and possessing large mineral resources suitable for the goal of reducing dependence on China.
Faced with these controversies, many European allies have spoken out in support of Greenland and Denmark. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the future of Greenland must be decided by Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul suggested that NATO could discuss strengthening protection of Greenland, while the European Union reaffirmed the principle of respecting national sovereignty.
