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Greenland says it should be defended by Nato, rejects any US takeover
The Arctic island’s government insists that security must happen through the Western alliance, not via US ownership
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Greenland’s government said on Monday it will increase efforts to ensure the defence of the Arctic territory takes place under the auspices of Nato, and again rejected US 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 China or Russia 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 defence of Greenland,” the island’s coalition government said in a statement, adding that it can in no way accept a United States takeover of Greenland.
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“As part of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland is a member of Nato and the defence of Greenland must, therefore, be through Nato,” the government said.
“On the basis of the very positive declaration from the six Nato member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will intensify efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland is carried out within Nato,” Monday’s statement said.
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“Greenland will always be part of the Western defence alliance,” the government said.
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