Denmark Vows to Defend Greenland Against US Claims

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey that Denmark will defend “every inch” of its territory, reiterating that Greenland, the semi‑autonomous Danish region, is not for sale. She said Denmark is prepared to protect NATO’s collective defense, even planning to destroy airfields in Greenland if the United States attempted an invasion.

President Donald Trump has again voiced interest in acquiring Greenland, describing it as a strategic problem for the United States and suggesting the island should come under U.S. control. U.S. officials, including Stephen Miller, have publicly stated that the United States considers Greenland part of its formal position. The remarks come amid broader U.S. actions in the region, such as recent strikes on Venezuela, and have prompted the European Union to back Denmark’s territorial sovereignty.

Both sides exchanged strong language, with Frederiksen warning that any attack on a NATO member would trigger Article 5 protections, while Trump framed the issue as a matter of global security. The tension highlights the strategic importance of the Arctic and the delicate balance within the NATO alliance.