Greenland’s government says it should be defended by NATO
Greenland’s government said on Monday it will increase its efforts to ensure that the defense of the Arctic territory takes place under the auspices of NATO, and again rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambition to take over the island.
Trump has said the United States must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, to prevent Russia or China occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich territory in the future.
“All NATO member states, including the United States, have a common interest in the defense of Greenland,” the island’s coalition government said in a statement.
The European Union’s Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius warned on Monday that a U.S. military takeover of Greenland would be the end of NATO.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Russia and China co-operating more often and more closely in the Arctic, says NORAD commander, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark approves US military bases on Danish soil as Trump eyes Greenland, The Associated Press
Finland: Only Greenland and Denmark can decide on their own future says Finnish President, Yle News
Greenland: Some Greenlanders express outrage over Trump’s threats. But not all are concerned, CBC News
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian navy chief accuses NATO of stepping up spying activities in the Arctic, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Sweden critical of Trump’s latest push for Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: The U.S. already has leverage in Greenland, so why is Trump escalating? Experts weigh in, Eye on the Arctic
