US Ambassador to Belgium hopes for Greenland deal
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The US and Denmark will most likely reach a win-win agreement that will satisfy all parties and ultimately lead to a safer Greenland, which is in the interests of Washington, Copenhagen, and Europe as a whole, according to US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White.
"I believe there will be a productive framework between President Trump and the Prime Minister of Denmark and this will lead to a more secure Greenland. And that is secure for NATO, Europe and the US," he says, commenting on the issue.
White adds that the US President is committed to NATO principles, but Greenland's strategic military significance should not be underestimated, and US security issues are too sensitive to explain publicly.
White also suggests that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen could benefit politically at home from not being afraid to quarrel with Trump. This would help her political party win the next election.
"A little bit of a spat or conversations with President Trump actually helps her to win her election. And the fact is, we actually want her to win that election," he says.
At the same time, the US Ambassador assures that Washington remains committed to NATO, and the US President is still NATO's biggest supporter because the Alliance has increased its defense spending.
"There is no greater person in the world that is supporting NATO than Donald Trump," White says.
Despite all the threatening statements by US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, it is unlikely that a conflict with European countries over the island will actually occur. Trump deliberately raises the bar — this is his negotiating style, explains Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada's International Committee, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
After the operation in Venezuela, Trump once again turned his attention to Greenland and insisted that the island be transferred to US control for the deployment of the Golden Dome missile defense system.
For her part, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed that Greenland is not for sale and that its inhabitants will decide their own future. And the island's Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, said that the island rejects the option of joining the United States and prefers to remain in alliance with Denmark.
Although Trump responded to this news with threats, in reality, the US could simply pay up to $700 billion to buy Greenland. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already been tasked with preparing an offer. The White House is determined to avoid serious conflict.
