The US will effectively control Greenland’s security under an agreement reached with Denmark and the self-governing Arctic territory, President Donald Trump has announced.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump said the agreement “gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many US concerns.”
“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that 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,” he added.
“Additionally, from now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”
Trump promised that the US will be “very protective” of Greenland, describing the deal as “a dream come true for the United States of America.”
Trump’s announcement coincided with a meeting of NATO’s top military officials in Copenhagen, where the bloc’s 32 defense chiefs gathered to discuss strengthening collective deterrence and defense.
The president has long argued that the US should acquire Greenland from Denmark because of the island’s strategic position and the need to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. His demands sparked outrage in Copenhagen and further strained relations with America’s NATO allies in Europe.
The 1951 US-Danish defense agreement already allows the US to request an increased military presence in Greenland. Although Copenhagen rejected transferring sovereignty over the territory to the US, Danish officials said they were willing to modify existing agreements to address Trump’s security concerns.
Denmark confirmed that a deal was reached shortly after Trump’s statement.
“An agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region and is therefore also good for NATO and Europe. At the same time, it recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.
“The agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in international cooperation. It benefits us all,” Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said.
Danish broadcaster DR, citing the Prime Minister’s Office, said the sides plan to sign the agreement next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
In February, NATO launched its Arctic Sentry initiative, coordinating and expanding allied military activities across the Arctic, including Danish-led exercises in and around Greenland. The move followed talks between Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte over security in the region.
Moscow has condemned what it describes as the militarization of the region.
“Under the pretext of mythical threats from the East, NATO has embarked on the active militarization of the Arctic and is rapidly strengthening its offensive capabilities near our northern borders,” Vladislav Maslennikov, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, said on Friday.