Greenland rejects idea of joining US
Photo: Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (Getty Images)
Greenland rejects the idea of joining the United States. It prefers to remain in a union with Denmark, meaning the island is putting its independence plans on hold — against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s threats to incorporate Greenland into the US, states Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, according to Bloomberg.
At a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen on January 13, Nielsen stated that Greenland prefers to remain in a union with the Danes and is not considering joining the US.
"We are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark… We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said.
Nielsen also added that the situation is "very serious," referring to Trump’s threats to annex the island. He called the threats completely inappropriate. In general, in Greenland, home to 57,000 people, the idea of gaining independence from Denmark has long been discussed, but at the same time, the vast majority are firmly against joining the US.
"Right now is the time to stand together. Greenland stands within the Kingdom of Denmark and stands fully united in protecting the fundamental principles," Nielsen told journalists during the press conference.
Trump has recently spoken more frequently about his desire for Greenland to become part of the US. According to him, this is necessary for defense against Russia and China, and the defense of Greenland is, as he put it, "two dog sleds." Moreover, a bill on the "annexation of Greenland" has already been introduced in Congress.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has already warned that if the US attacks Greenland, "everything will collapse, including NATO." Trump’s statements caused strong outrage both in Greenland itself and in Europe. In particular, Germany has already warned that this conflict must not be ignored.
For a more detailed explanation of why Trump’s plans for the island pose a threat to the world, see the RBC-Ukraine report.
