Denmark has delivered a firm and unequivocal warning to the United States regarding any suggestion of military action to acquire Greenland, emphasizing that such a step would provoke a catastrophic confrontation between two longstanding NATO allies. Rasmus Jarlov, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Defence Committee, stated that Denmark would have no choice but to defend its territory and invoke Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which mandates collective defense. He described the prospect of war between NATO partners as “absurd,” “disastrous,” and entirely avoidable, warning that it would almost certainly mark the end of the 76-year-old alliance.
Jarlov stressed that no credible threat or hostility exists to justify military escalation. He noted that the United States already maintains substantial access to Greenland through longstanding defense agreements, which include provisions for strategic operations and resource exploration. “There is absolutely no need for this,” he said, adding that Denmark hopes the situation can be resolved through constructive dialogue without further escalation. He reiterated Denmark’s consistent position that Greenland is not for sale at any price, pointing out that the island’s 57,000 inhabitants—Danish citizens—have clearly expressed their opposition to becoming part of the United States.
The current tensions trace back to US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory, a proposal he first floated in 2019 and which was swiftly rejected at the time. Following his return to the White House after the 2024 presidential election, the administration has framed control of Greenland as a “national security priority” to counter potential adversaries in the Arctic. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently indicated that various options remain under consideration, without ruling out the use of force. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has cautioned that any armed attempt to seize Greenland would fatally undermine NATO, as Article 5 would require member states—including the United States—to defend Denmark against the aggressor, leading to an irreconcilable contradiction within the alliance.
Also Read: DRDO Conducts Long-Duration Scramjet Engine Test For Hypersonic Missile Programme
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has moved to ease concerns by clarifying that President Trump’s intention is to negotiate a purchase rather than resort to military means, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal. Rubio is set to hold discussions with Danish and Greenlandic representatives next week. Denmark has welcomed the planned meeting, viewing it as an essential platform for addressing the issue through peaceful and diplomatic channels.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the strategic importance of the Arctic, where climate change and melting ice are opening new shipping lanes and exposing valuable resources. The standoff underscores the delicate balance of transatlantic relations at a moment of rising geopolitical competition in the region. Danish officials, including Jarlov, continue to emphasize the value of the existing defense partnership while maintaining an unwavering rejection of any coercive effort to claim sovereignty over Greenland.
Also Read: Trump Calls Himself Most Deserving of Nobel Peace Prize, Criticises Obama