Danish PM Reaffirms Greenland Sovereignty As Trump Joins NATO Leaders In Turkey

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Wednesday rejected renewed calls by US President Donald Trump for Washington to take control of Greenland, asserting that the Arctic island is not available for purchase and stressing the importance of respecting territorial sovereignty. Frederiksen made the remarks ahead of a meeting of NATO leaders in Ankara, Turkey. “Greenland is of course not for sale,” Frederiksen said, adding that all countries, including NATO allies, must respect the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.

She emphasised that Denmark and other sovereign states expect their territorial integrity and independence to be respected under international law. Trump revived his long-standing interest in Greenland shortly before the NATO gathering, renewing his argument that the United States should control the strategically located island. The comments have reignited tensions with Denmark, a NATO ally, as the military alliance is built on the principle that its members collectively defend one another’s territory rather than seek control over allied land.

Frederiksen said Denmark remained committed to defending every part of NATO territory, including its own areas, if faced with an attack. She added that Denmark would rely on the alliance’s collective defence commitment, which requires members to support one another in the event of aggression. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has attracted increasing global attention due to its strategic location in the Arctic and its potential natural resources.

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The island’s future status has been a sensitive political issue, with Greenlandic leaders previously emphasising their right to determine their own path. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte defended the United States’ commitment to the military alliance ahead of the leaders’ meeting. Rutte said Washington remained fully engaged with NATO and supported US President Donald Trump’s recent military actions against Iran. Rutte described the latest US strikes on Iran as a necessary response after Tehran allegedly violated a ceasefire agreement by attacking three merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said NATO allies needed to respond firmly when agreements were breached, highlighting the importance of maintaining security commitments. The NATO summit comes amid several international security challenges, including tensions in the Arctic, conflicts in the Middle East and debates over the alliance’s future role. Leaders are expected to discuss defence cooperation, regional threats and the responsibilities of member states as geopolitical tensions continue to rise.

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