NUUK (Realist English). Greenland’s prime minister on Monday sought to calm concerns over a possible U.S. takeover of the Arctic island, rejecting comparisons with Washington’s recent military intervention in Venezuela after President Donald Trump renewed calls for U.S. control of the strategically located territory.
Speaking at a press conference, Jens Frederik Nielsen said there was no realistic scenario in which the United States could simply seize Greenland, which is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
“The situation is not such that the United States can simply conquer Greenland,” Nielsen said. “Our country is not comparable to Venezuela. We are a democratic society and have been so for many decades.”
Nielsen acknowledged that Trump’s remarks have triggered anxiety both in Greenland and abroad, but emphasized that Nuuk is focused on restoring constructive relations with Washington, particularly in areas where cooperation has traditionally been strong.
“We want to re-establish the cooperation we have previously had with the United States — especially the good cooperation,” he said.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to U.S. national security because of its Arctic location and mineral resources. Speaking to NBC News on Monday evening, the U.S. president said he was “very serious” about acquiring Greenland, while conceding that he had “no timeline” for doing so.
European leaders have rallied around Greenland and Denmark since Trump revived his ambitions following U.S. action in Venezuela. Denmark remains responsible for Greenland’s defense despite the island’s broad autonomy.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a sharp warning, saying that any U.S. attempt to take Greenland by force would effectively end NATO.
“If the United States were to attack another NATO country militarily, everything would stop — including NATO itself and the security order that has existed since the end of the Second World War,” Frederiksen said in an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2.
In recent months, Copenhagen has moved to strengthen ties with Greenland, pledging increased spending on healthcare and infrastructure, while also investing more heavily in Arctic defense, including plans to purchase additional F-35 fighter jets.
Opinion polls show Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose U.S. control of the island, even as a majority support eventual independence from Denmark — highlighting the political sensitivity surrounding any discussion of Greenland’s future.
