Denmark: Denmark has issued a strong warning against any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by force, cautioning that such a move would trigger a dangerous and unprecedented conflict within NATO.
Rasmus Jarlov, a Danish Member of Parliament and head of the country’s Defence Committee, said Denmark would be compelled to respond if Greenland were attacked, even though it would be unable to militarily overpower the United States. Speaking in an interview, Jarlov stressed that the issue was not about military capability but about principle and international norms.
He described the idea of a military confrontation between two NATO allies as irrational and catastrophic, warning that it would severely damage the alliance. “An armed attack on Denmark or Greenland would create an absurd and disastrous situation,” he said, adding that such a conflict would be entirely avoidable and unjustified.
Jarlov rejected any suggestion that Washington has security-related grounds for taking control of Greenland. He noted that the US already enjoys broad access to the territory through long-standing defence arrangements, including agreements that allow for military presence and resource-related activities. “There is no threat, no hostility, and no legitimate reason for escalation,” he said, expressing hope that tensions could be defused through dialogue.
Former US President Donald Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, during his initial term in office, but Denmark swiftly dismissed the proposal. After returning to power following the 2024 presidential election, Trump revived the idea, once again drawing a firm rejection from Copenhagen.
Jarlov reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and that the matter goes beyond financial considerations. He pointed out that the island’s population has clearly expressed its opposition to becoming part of the United States. “You cannot sell people,” he said, referring to Greenland’s roughly 57,000 residents.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also warned that any armed attempt by the US to take Greenland would effectively dismantle NATO. Under such circumstances, Denmark would be required to invoke Article 5 of the alliance, which obliges member states to come to the defence of an attacked ally. Frederiksen has argued that such a scenario would place NATO in an impossible position and could spell the end of the 76-year-old military bloc.
Tensions escalated earlier this week after the White House said it was examining multiple avenues to acquire Greenland. US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that no option, including military action, had been explicitly ruled out, while emphasising that Greenland is viewed by Washington as strategically vital to Arctic security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since indicated that he intends to meet Danish and Greenlandic officials in the coming days. According to US media reports, Rubio has clarified that the administration’s preference is to pursue a purchase rather than use force. Danish authorities have welcomed the proposed talks, calling them a necessary step toward easing tensions and restoring diplomatic balance.
