Denmark does not “appreciate the tone” of the comments of us, the minister, says
London – Denmark is open to discussions with the United States on how to “fix” the status quo in Greenland, said Foreign Minister of the country, after vice president JD Vance accused Copenhagen from not properly protecting the Arctic Island during a controversial visit on Friday.
In a publication to X aimed at the “Dear American Friends” of Denmark on Friday night, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his nation agrees that the “status quo” in the Arctic “is not an option.”
“So let’s talk about how we can fix it, together,” Rasmussen wrote.
In a video statement, Rasmussen acknowledged the “many accusations and many accusations” about Greenland. “Of course, we are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest: we do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered.”
Vice President JD Vance speaks of the Pituffik space base of the US army in Greenland, on March 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP through Getty Images
“This is not how you talk to your nearby allies,” Rasmussen continued, “and I still consider that Denmark and the United States are close allies.”
Danish and Greenlanic leaders have retreated Trump’s desire to obtain Greenland control. They have simultaneously criticized their perceived overreach as they seek to relieve tensions by proposing deeper military and economic cooperation in the Arctic Earth mass.
“We respect that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, as Vice President Vance mentioned tonight. We, Denmark and Greenland, we are very open to discuss this with you,” said Rasmussen in his statement.
The existing bilateral defense agreement, signed in 1951, “offers a wide opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,” said Rasmussen. “If that’s what you want, then let us discuss it.”
The traditional housing of Greenland is seen from the point of view Myggedalen, on March 28, 2025 in Nuuk, Greenland.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
President Donald Trump has been repeatedly, both in his first term and since he returned to the position of his second, expressed his ambition to take control of the island. Rasmussen’s appeal for dialogue occurred shortly after Vance completed his visit to Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the kingdom of Denmark.
In statements to the members of the US service in the US Pituffik Space Base. UU. On the northwest coast of Greenland, Vance said: “Well, the president said we have to have Greenland. And I think we have to be more serious about the security of Greenland.”
“We cannot simply ignore this place,” he continued. “We cannot ignore the president’s wishes.”
Vance said the Trump administration “respects the self -determination of the people of Greenland”, but suggested that the island would be safer under the security umbrella of the United States.
Greenland is already covered by the collective defense clause of article 5 that supports NATO, of which both Denmark and the United States are members.
President Donald Trump speaks at the Oval office during an oath ceremony in the White House, on March 28, 2025 in Washington.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Images
“Yes, the people of Greenland will have self -determination,” Vance said. “We hope they choose to associate with the United States because we are the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their safety, because their security is our security.”
Vance accused Denmark of not providing adequate security against “very aggressive incursions of Russia, China and other nations.”
“Our message to Denmark is very simple: the people of Greenland have not done a good job. You have invested in the people of Greenland, and you have invested in the security architecture of this incredible and beautiful dough of land full of incredible people. That has to change,” he said.
Rasmussen said that both Denmark and the United States had done very little in the Arctic since the end of the Cold War. “We all act according to the assumption that the Arctic was and should be a low voltage area, but that time is over,” he said. “Status quo is not the AM option.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his ambition to acquire Greenland, despite the critical fierce of leaders in Greenland, Denmark and Europe. It seems little support among Groenlanders for its proposal. A January January survey, commissioned by the Danish newspaper Berlingske, showed that only 6% of Greenlands are in favor of being part of the United States, with 9% undecided.
Vice President JD Vance and the Second Air Force of the Vance Board of the Second Lady Usha, two after touring the Pituffik Space Base of the US Army in Greenland, on March 28, 2025.
Jim Watson/Pool/AFP through Getty Images
The island is in a strategic position off the north coast of Russia through the Arctic Ocean and about two shipping routes: Northeast and Northwest passages. It is also believed that Greenland is home to a large number of valuable mineral deposits. It is expected that both shipping routes and minerals will become more accessible, since the heating climate causes sea ice to go back even more.
“We have to have Greenland. It’s not a matter of: Do you think we can do without him? We can’t,” Trump said in the Oval office on Friday. “If you look at Greenland at this time, if you look at the river tracks, you have Chinese and Russian ships throughout the place, and we will not be able to do it.”
“We do not trust Denmark or any other person to take care of that situation,” he added. “And we are not talking about peace for the United States.”
“Greenland is very important for the peace of the world, not us, the peace of the entire world,” said the president. “And I think Denmark understands it. I think the European Union understands it. And if they don’t, we will have to explain it.”
The contribution of Hannah Demissie, Molly Nagle and Michelle Stoddart of ABC News to this report.
