Denmark's PM Visits Greenland Amid US Tensions

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland on Friday, a visit designed to show solidarity with the Arctic island after weeks of diplomatic friction sparked by US President Donald Trump’s interest in the territory.

The visit follows a turbulent period that has tested relations between the United States and its European allies, fueled by President Trump's persistent push to secure a strategic foothold in the Arctic.

Frederiksen Affirms Solidarity in Nuuk

Upon landing in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, Frederiksen was greeted on the tarmac by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The two leaders embraced before beginning formal talks.

"I'm first and foremost here to show our strong support for Greenland's people as a difficult time," Frederiksen told reporters while walking with Nielsen in the capital. "We are preparing the next steps."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen meets with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen in Nuuk.

The visit came after Frederiksen met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels to discuss boosting security in the region.

US Pursues 'Total Access' Framework

President Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US "needs" Greenland for its "national security." Without providing evidence, he has claimed the island is "covered with Chinese and Russian ships all over the place."

On Thursday, Trump stated that details for gaining "total access" to the semi-autonomous Danish territory were being actively worked out. He referred to a "framework" agreement reached with NATO's Mark Rutte, though specific details of the arrangement have not been made public.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen clarified the situation on Friday, noting that no detailed plan had been finalized. Instead, he described the talks as establishing a "framework for a future agreement."

Rasmussen added that Trump "now wishes to negotiate a solution" instead of pursuing "drastic ideas about needing to own Greenland."

The international focus on Greenland is intensifying as climate change makes its vast and largely untapped natural resources more accessible.

Sovereignty Remains a 'Red Line' for Greenland

Both Danish and Greenlandic officials have been unequivocal: sovereignty is a "red line" that must be respected in any negotiation.

Greenland's Prime Minister Nielsen stressed on Thursday that he was not aware of the details discussed between Trump and Rutte. He firmly stated that no deal could be reached without Nuuk's direct involvement.

"Nobody else than Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark have the mandate to make deals or agreements," he told reporters.