US Vice-President JD Vance is set to host a high-stakes diplomatic meeting at the White House this Wednesday, bringing together the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark. The talks come amid escalating international tensions following former President Donald Trump's renewed assertions that the United States should take control of the strategically vital Arctic island.
Diplomatic Moves to De-escalate Tensions
The meeting was requested by Denmark's top diplomat, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt. They sought discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but Vice-President Vance asked to participate and will host the gathering. Rasmussen stated the aim was to move the contentious debate "into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye and talk about these things."
Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, in 2019. This month, he has significantly intensified his rhetoric, stating the US would acquire it "one way or the other" and refusing to rule out military force. This stance has sent shockwaves through the European Union and NATO, alliances of which Denmark is a member and which extend certain protections to Greenland.
European and NATO Response to US Ambitions
The response from European capitals has been one of firm opposition and solidarity. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US invasion would mean the end of NATO. Other European leaders have pledged support for Greenland's territorial integrity and right to self-determination.
In a show of resolve, Denmark's Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, announced plans for a larger military presence in Greenland alongside other NATO allies this year. He emphasised Copenhagen's desire for "greater attention from NATO in relation to issues regarding NATO’s presence in and around the Arctic." Poulsen and Motzfeldt are also scheduled to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels next Monday to discuss the crisis.
Greenland's coalition government has stated it cannot "under any circumstances accept" a US takeover and will work to ensure its defence remains firmly within the NATO framework. It expressed a belief that Greenland would remain a member of the Western alliance "for ever."
Broader Strategic Stakes and Local Politics
Trump's justification centres on Arctic security, citing alleged threats from China and Russia. NATO's Rutte acknowledged the alliance is "working on the next steps" regarding Arctic security, with members like France and Germany suggesting bolstering NATO's regional presence.
Within Greenland, the situation intertwines with long-standing ambitions for full independence from Denmark. All political parties in the island's parliament support eventual independence, differing only on timing. Pele Broberg, leader of the opposition Naleraq party, questioned Denmark's role in the Washington talks, arguing they have "nothing to do with Danish foreign politics, and everything to do with the Greenlandic people’s future." He accused Copenhagen of using NATO and its constitutional ties to retain influence.
As the White House meeting convenes, the discussions will not only address an immediate geopolitical flashpoint but also grapple with the complex future of Greenland itself, caught between great power rivalry, alliance politics, and its own national aspirations.
