Denmark and Greenland present united entrance towards US ‘annexation’ threats

Denmark won’t hand over Greenland to the US, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stated throughout an official go to to the Arctic Island.

Responding to repeated threats from Donald Trump, Frederiksen provided nearer collaboration on safety however instructed the US president: “You’ll be able to’t annex different international locations.”

Frederiksen stood alongside Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and his predecessor Mute Egede in a present of help and unity within the face of US threats on Thursday.

Her three-day journey to the territory follows final week’s controversial go to by a US delegation headed up by Vice President JD Vance, which was broadly criticised in each Greenland and Denmark.

Throughout his whirlwind journey, Vance reiterated Trump’s ambitions to convey Greenland below United States’ management for safety causes, criticised Denmark for not spending extra on safety within the area, and claimed it had “not performed a very good job” for Greenlanders.

After arriving in Greenland on Wednesday, Frederiksen stated: “It’s clear that with the strain placed on Greenland by the Individuals, by way of sovereignty, borders and the longer term, we have to keep united.”

Frederiksen stated on Thursday that Denmark was fortifying its army presence within the Arctic and provided nearer collaboration with the USA in defending the area.

However she added: “If you demand to take over part of… Denmark’s territory, once we are met by strain and by threats from our closest ally, what are we to consider in, concerning the nation that we’ve got admired for therefore a few years?”

Frederiksen rode across the capital Nuuk in a Danish navy patrol boat, alongside Egede and Nielsen.

In accordance with Danish public broadcaster DR, many individuals cheered at seeing the Danish prime minister, with one resident shouting from a window: “Hey Mette! Thanks for being right here.”

Egede, who served as prime minister for nearly 4 years, stated the island had cooperated with the US on safety for nearly 80 years – together with the development of the Pituffik House Base following a 1951 settlement between Denmark and the USA.

The previous chief insisted Greenland was not on the market, however added the island needed commerce with the US, Greenlandic nationwide newspaper Sermitsiaq reported.

Trump first floated the concept of shopping for Greenland throughout his first time period – and his need to personal the island has solely grown with time.

Mikaela Engell, an knowledgeable on the Arctic territory who beforehand served as Denmark’s Excessive Commissioner to Greenland, instructed AFP information company “it’s totally, crucial and it’s totally reassuring for Greenlanders to see a Danish head of presidency.”

Greenland – the world’s largest island, between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans – has been managed by Denmark, practically 3,000km (1,860 miles) away, for about 300 years.

Greenland governs its personal home affairs, however selections on international and defence coverage are made in Copenhagen.

5 of the six important events favour independence from Copenhagen, however disagree over the tempo with which to achieve it.

A brand new Greenland coalition authorities was shaped in March, led by the centre-right Democrats occasion which favours a gradual method to independence.

Polls present that the overwhelming majority of Greenlanders additionally wish to turn into impartial from Denmark, however don’t want to turn into a part of the US.

Since 2009, Greenland has had the precise to name an independence referendum, although in recent times some political events have begun pushing extra for one.