Greenland to expand its defense agreement with US, without Denmark
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Greenlandic MP Kuno Fencker states that Greenland is open to expanding its defense agreement with the US independently, without Denmark's involvement.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards his airplane before departing the Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland, on May 20, 2021. (AP)
Greenland seeks to broaden its defense agreement with the US independently, without Denmark’s involvement, Greenlandic MP Kuno Fencker stated in an interview with RIA Novosti on Sunday.
"We are a de facto NATO country, through Denmark. The United States has a military presence. We have a defense agreement between Denmark and the United States. We want to resume that, but only with a defense agreement between Greenland and the United States. And we can conclude an agreement with Denmark separately. We can even conclude a bilateral agreement with the EU. The options are open," he said.
Citing a secret report from the Danish Armed Forces, Dutch broadcaster TV2 reported on Wednesday that Denmark plans to build an air base in western Greenland for a "show of force", as well as to increase the staff of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces Arctic Command in the capital of Nuuk.
In early May 2024, Troels Lund Poulsen, head of the Danish Ministry of Defense, announced that the Danish government was considering bolstering its military presence in Greenland.
It was noted that one possibility being considered was deploying Arctic Command units in Kangerlussuaq. Poulsen emphasized that discussions were ongoing about how the armed forces would develop the local airport.
New survey reveals Danish doubts on Greenland's security, US role
On Saturday, a survey by Megafon for TV2 highlighted growing concerns among Danes about their government's military commitment to Greenland.
The poll revealed that a majority of Danes believe Denmark is failing to adequately protect the autonomous territory, while nearly half supported an increased US military presence on the island.
The survey found that 62% of respondents either "strongly agree" or "mostly agree" that Denmark is not doing enough to safeguard Greenland.
In contrast, only 12% believed the government's current efforts are sufficient. Meanwhile, 43% supported allowing the US to expand its military presence on the island, compared to 32% who oppose the idea.
US Interest
On the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump repeatedly asserted that Greenland should become part of the United States, emphasizing the island's strategic importance for national security and the defense of the "free world" against threats from China and Russia.
At the same time, the incoming president declined to rule out the use of military force to assert control over the territory.
Until 1953, Greenland was a colony of Denmark and continues to be part of the kingdom. In 2009, the island gained autonomy, allowing it to make independent decisions in its internal politics.
