Denmark beefs up Greenland's defenses after Trump's statements
Kyiv • UNN
The Danish government has announced the allocation of more than $1.5 billion for the defense of Greenland. The decision comes after Trump reiterated the need for the US to own the Arctic territory.
The Danish government has announced a significant increase in defense spending on Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the Arctic territory, reports UNN citing the BBC.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package represents a “double-digit sum in the billions” in kroner, or at least $1.5 billion.
He called the timing of the announcement “ironic”. On Monday, Trump said owning and controlling the huge island was an “absolute necessity” for the USA.
Add
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is “home” to a major U.S. space facility and is of strategic importance to the United States because it is on the shortest route to Europe. It has large mineral reserves.
Poulsen said the package would allow for two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones and two additional dog sleds.
It will also include funding for an increase in Arctic Command staffing in the capital Nuuk and the modernization of one of Greenland's three main civilian airports to accommodate F-35 supersonic fighter jets.
“We have underinvested in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence,” he said.
The defense minister did not name the exact amount of the package, but Danish media estimated that it would be around 12-15 billion kroner.
The announcement came a day after Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social, “For the purposes of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America believes that possession and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.
Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede responded to Trump's comments by saying “we are not for sale”.
But he added that Greenlanders should continue to be open to cooperation and trade, especially with their neighbors.
Analysts say the plan has been under discussion for some time and should not be seen as a direct response to Trump's comments.
Recall
Trump's initial suggestion in 2019 that the U.S. acquire Greenland, which is the world's largest island, drew an equally sharp rebuke from that country's leaders.
At the time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the idea “absurd,” prompting Trump to cancel a state trip to the country.
He is not the first U.S. president to suggest buying Greenland. The idea was first floated in the 1860s during Andrew Johnson's presidency.
