Denmark’s foreign minister reassured reporters on Saturday that his country is in a stronger position regarding US President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland. However, he emphasized that the crisis remains unresolved.
Speaking in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists, “We are not out of the crisis yet; we do not have a solution to our problems.” He highlighted, “However, compared to just a few weeks ago, we are now in a much better position.”
Rasmussen also mentioned that there were no threats on the table and that Denmark and Greenland did not face any trade wars with Europe. He added, “Everyone agreed to resolve this issue through normal diplomatic means.”
Since his return to the White House last year, President Trump has been vocal about Washington needing control over Greenland for security reasons. Last month, he stepped back from threats of seizing the island after reaching a framework deal with NATO’s chief, Mark Rutte, to boost US influence.
A working group comprising Denmark, Greenland, and the United States is now discussing Washington’s security concerns in the Arctic, though details have not been released yet.
Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, who spoke alongside Rasmussen, welcomed the move towards direct dialogue. She stated, “We are now in a direct dialogue with our partners,” but she also noted that it was “too early to say where these talks will lead.”
Denmark and Greenland have acknowledged their security concerns with Trump, asserting however that sovereignty and territorial integrity remain red lines in any discussions.
The situation remains complex despite the progress made. Both countries are pushing for a diplomatic resolution, highlighting how sensitive these issues can be even when negotiations seem promising.