Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, began a tour of key European capitals on Tuesday, citing the continent’s increasingly uncertain future and her country’s efforts to bolster its military presence near Greenland. The tour includes stops in Berlin, Paris, and Brussels, where she will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This trip comes amid comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has not dismissed the possibility of using military force to take control of Greenland, a territory of Denmark that is part of NATO and the European Union. On Monday, Frederiksen’s government revealed a 14.6 billion-kroner (around $2 billion) agreement with Greenland and the Faeroe Islands to enhance surveillance and maintain sovereignty in the region.
Denmark’s Defense Ministry in Copenhagen announced plans to enhance its military capabilities, including the addition of three new Arctic naval vessels, two long-range surveillance drones, and increased satellite capacity. While Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen did not specifically address President Trump’s threat regarding Greenland during her meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, she emphasized that Europe is facing a more uncertain future. She stressed that this uncertain reality calls for greater unity and increased cooperation among European nations.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted the growing concerns over security, pointing to Russian actions in Ukraine and other regions. She stressed that Europe must take greater responsibility in shaping its future and ensuring its own security.
The Danish Defense Ministry also announced plans to negotiate a second agreement later this year, aimed at enhancing deterrence and defense in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen acknowledged the serious security challenges in these areas and emphasized the need to strengthen Denmark’s military presence to address these concerns.
The Danish Defense Ministry emphasized that a key focus of the new agreements will be ensuring that investments benefit local jobs and businesses in both Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s Minister of Statehood and Foreign Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the steps being taken to improve security in and around Greenland under the new accord.
While Greenland’s government has made it clear that the territory is not for sale, it remains open to cooperation. Notably, the statement from the Danish Defense Ministry did not directly reference President Trump’s previous comments regarding the region.