On Saturday, Denmark and Greenland stated that any arrangement with the United States would not undermine Greenland’s sovereignty, following President Donald Trump’s remark that the deal would grant Washington “permanent control” over the Arctic island’s security, leaving the exact extent of the agreement uncertain.
Late on Friday, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland announced that they had reached an agreement allowing the US to establish a substantial military presence in Greenland, while preventing US rivals from setting up their own bases on the island.
Key aspects of the agreement remain undisclosed, including the extent of the US military presence in the self-governing Danish territory and whether any formal authority over foreign policy and resources will be transferred to Washington.
Denmark and Greenland voiced optimism that an agreement, anticipated to be signed during the UN General Assembly next week, will resolve months of uncertainty sparked by Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland.
"Next week could be a good week - for Greenland, Denmark, and the United States," Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday.
He expressed hope that this period of uncertainty will lead to a binding agreement that enhances security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, and thus bolsters our collective security within NATO and Europe, all while respecting the Danish Kingdom’s non-negotiable positions.
Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that Washington must respect the Danish kingdom’s sovereignty and acknowledge that Greenland is not available for purchase.
Trump said on Truth Social late and X on Friday that under a deal, "the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America."
The agreement grants the United States authority over security and all related requirements in Greenland, Trump stated, emphasizing that no rival power would be allowed to establish a base, maintain a military presence, or undertake sensitive investments in Greenland without explicit written authorization from Washington.
Trump issued the announcement after Reuters reported exclusively that the United States and Denmark were close to finalizing an agreement.
“I am pleased for Greenland that we are approaching the completion of a deal one that strengthens not only our shared security but also the ongoing development of this country,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.
"The agreement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination," he added.
Trump’s threats, which reached their height in January, sparked a diplomatic crisis that strained NATO relations and drove Denmark and Greenland into talks intended to ease the pressure.
A NATO spokesperson said on Saturday that the alliance welcomed the deal, noting it would “help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region.”
