No Nobel after eight wars: Trump explains Greenland ambition
Donald Trump, US President (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump decided to stop thinking purely in terms of peace after Norway refused to award him the Nobel Prize, and linked this to his desire to gain control over Greenland, Trump wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, journalist Nick Schifrin reports.
In the letter, the US leader linked the refusal to award him the Nobel Peace Prize to the need to establish US control over Greenland. He stressed that he no longer considers himself obliged to "think purely of peace."
"Dear Jonas: Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars, plus I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America," Trump wrote.
Doubts over Denmark's right to Greenland
At the same time, he said that Denmark is not capable of effectively protecting Greenland from possible threats from Russia or China. Trump also questioned Denmark's right to own the island, stating that there are "no written documents" that unequivocally confirm this, and that historical arguments, in his words, are not convincing.
"I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland," the US leader emphasized.
It is noted that the letter was issued on behalf of the US president and distributed by National Security Council staff to several European ambassadors in Washington. Diplomats were asked to pass the contents of the message on to heads of state or government.
Trump and Greenland
Trump advocates transferring Greenland to US control to deploy elements of the Golden Dome missile defense system there. He warned that in the absence of a swift response from NATO, the island could fall under the influence of Russia or China.
In Trump's view, the United States is forced to take on a leading role because its European allies do not demonstrate sufficient readiness to defend critical regions.
In Greenland's capital, Nuuk, demand for survival goods and long-shelf-life products has increased. Local residents, responding to statements from the United States, are expressing concern about possible external threats to the island.
Yesterday, January 18, the US Department of the Treasury said that Washington's interest in Greenland is driven by strategic considerations and a weakening of Europe's role in matters of collective security.
