Yesterday
Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt met the US vice-president JD Vance for talks in Washington.
Following the meeting, Rasmussen told a news conference: “I know very well that the future is not about the past, but I think it is important to have the past in mind. We are eager to fulfil our promises. Even though our view on the situation right now around Greenland differs from public statements in the US, we want to work closely with the US, but it must be of course a respectful kind of cooperation.”
Rasmussen said the two ministers told their US counterparts that “it is not easy to think innovative[ly] about solutions when you wake up every morning to different threats.”
Rasmussen said it was a constructive meeting with the US, but admitted “we didn’t manage to change the US position” so far. “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering Greenland, and we made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the Kingdom [of Denmark].”
Inuit village Kullorsuaq at the Melville Bay, Greenland.
France is expected to join the new European military mission to Greenland, Agence France-Presse reported.
Germany said it would deploy a 13-strong Bunderwehr reconnaissance team to “explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region”, the German defence ministry said, quoted by AFP.
The European parliament leaders issued a statement declaring their “firm” support for Denmark, Greenland and the rules-based international as they “unequivocally” condemned the US ambition to control the semi-autonomous territory. They stressed that “any attempt to undermine the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland, violates international law and the United Nations Charter.” They added that “the security of the Arctic is a strategic priority for the European Union, and we are firmly committed to safeguarding it,” calling for “reinforcing European defence capabilities” to ensure security in the Arctic region.
Greenlandic deputy prime minister, Múte B. Egede, said that more soldiers were expected in the coming days, joined by “more military flights and ships” as part of hastily convened “Operation Arctic Endurance.”
The Guardian
A Courtship In Greenland, Carl Rasmussen ca. 1880.