August M
Greenland’s leaders have issued unusually blunt warnings after renewed talk in US political circles about taking control of the Arctic island. Their response has now drawn clear backing from the British prime minister, adding a European voice to the pushback.
The dispute highlights growing unease among US allies over rhetoric that challenges sovereignty norms.
Greenland responds
According to The Guardian, Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, reacted strongly to comments circulating in US political circles suggesting the island could one day be annexed.
After a social media post by Katie Miller, a rightwing podcaster married to Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, showed Greenland draped in the US flag with the caption “SOON,” Nielsen called the message “disrespectful.”
“Relations between nations and peoples are built on mutual respect and international law,” he wrote, adding that symbolic gestures that ignore Greenland’s status and rights were unacceptable.
In a later statement, Nielsen said: “Threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends.”
Danish rejection
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen also rejected the idea outright. She said it made “absolutely no sense” to suggest the US needed to take over Greenland.
“The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish kingdom,” Frederiksen said, referring to Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Greenland is largely autonomous but remains part of the Danish kingdom, with Copenhagen responsible for foreign and defence policy.
Starmer steps in
British prime minister Keir Starmer publicly backed Frederiksen after questions were raised about the UK government’s position.
“Well, I stand with her, and she’s right about the future of Greenland,” Starmer told Sky News. Asked by the BBC whether Donald Trump should stop raising the idea of US annexation, he replied: “Yes.”
He added: “Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark.”
Starmer described Denmark as a close European and Nato ally.
UK caution
Earlier, UK migration minister Mike Tapp had avoided directly criticising the US rhetoric during broadcast interviews.
“Diplomacy is delicate,” he told Sky News, saying the government was not going to provide a “running commentary” on the issue.
Starmer’s comments marked a clearer and more direct position from London.
US rhetoric resurfaces
Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is essential to US national security, claiming Denmark would be unable to protect it.
Following a US military raid in Venezuela that led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, Trump again raised the idea, saying: “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
The remarks revived a long-running source of tension between Washington and Copenhagen.
Sources: The Guardian
