Denmark and U.S. to Form Working Group Amid Greenland Dispute
Washington D.C. – Denmark and the United States have agreed to establish a joint working group to address ongoing disagreements regarding the future of Greenland. the announcement follows a recent meeting between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, which failed to bridge the gap in perspectives.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced the formation of the high-level group, stating it will explore potential common ground. “We have decided to form a high-level working group to explore whether we can find a common path forward,” Rasmussen said during a press conference alongside his Greenlandic counterpart, Vivian Motzfeldt.
The group is expected to convene within weeks, focusing on balancing U.S. security concerns with Denmark’s firm stance on Greenland’s sovereignty. Rasmussen emphasized the need to “address U.S. security concerns while respecting red lines” established by Denmark.
The meeting with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio took place amidst continued pressure from U.S.President donald Trump to acquire the Arctic island, citing national security interests. Despite what the Danish Foreign Minister described as a “frank but also constructive” discussion, essential disagreements remain.
Denmark maintains that Greenland’s security can be effectively ensured within the current framework and considers any compromise to Greenland’s territorial integrity or the right to self-determination of its people “totally unacceptable.” “Thus, we continue to have fundamental disagreements, but we also agree to disagree,” Rasmussen stated.
Prior to the meeting, President Trump reiterated his position on social media, asserting that having Greenland “in U.S.hands” would substantially enhance NATO’s effectiveness and deeming any other outcome “unacceptable.”
Both Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have firmly rejected the possibility of a U.S. acquisition of Greenland, whether through purchase or military force.
Related reading