“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” stated Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen along with four other party leaders in a statement issued on Friday night.
Trump reiterated on Friday his interest in acquiring Greenland, a semiautonomous territory that is part of NATO ally Denmark, “the easy way.” He expressed concerns that if the US does not take ownership, then Russia or China might, which the US does not want as neighbors.
“If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump remarked, though he did not clarify what that would mean. The White House mentioned it is exploring various options, including the potential for military action, to take control of the island.
Greenland’s party leaders reaffirmed that “Greenland’s future must be determined by the Greenlandic people.” “As Greenlandic party leaders, we would like to stress once more our desire for the United States’ disregard for our nation to cease,” the statement read.
Also read: Donald Trump says US needs to own Greenland to deter Russia, China
Officials from Denmark, Greenland, and the United States convened in Washington on Thursday and are set to meet again next week to discuss the White House’s renewed interest in acquiring the island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has cautioned that a US takeover of Greenland could signify the end of NATO.
The leaders’ statement emphasized that “discussions regarding Greenland’s future occur in dialogue with the Greenlandic people and are conducted based on international laws.” “No other nation can intervene in this matter,” they highlighted. “We must determine our country’s future independently, without pressure for hasty decisions, delays, or interference from external parties.” The statement was signed by Nielsen, Pele Broberg, Mute B. Egede, Aleqa Hammond, and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen.
Although Greenland is the largest island globally, it has a population of about 57,000 and lacks its own military. Denmark provides defense, but its military is significantly smaller compared to that of the US. It remains uncertain how other NATO members would react if the US opted for a forceful acquisition of the island or whether they would support Denmark.
(Edited by : Srabastee Biswas)
