Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected the US attempt to annex Greenland, accusing the US of subjecting Denmark and Greenland to pressure and threats. She was speaking at a press conference with Greenlandic officials in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The Danish Prime Minister said that national borders, sovereignty, territorial integrity – these are rooted in international law and these principles were established after World War II so that small countries would not have to fear large ones.
The press conference, which was broadcast live by Danish broadcaster DR, was held amid US President Donald Trump’s continuous expression of interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defence.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for increased Arctic defence collaboration with the United States during a visit to Greenland, and firmly dismissed Washington’s desire to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Frederiksen’s visit follows months of tension between Washington and Copenhagen over US President Donald Trump’s repeated declarations that the Arctic island should become a part of the US.
At a news conference with the outgoing and incoming Greenlandic prime ministers on Thursday, Frederiksen switched to English to address the US directly, inviting it to strengthen security in the Arctic together with Denmark and Greenland.
