Greenland. After announcement, the reactions: “Security” and “helps to calm down”

Nlast friday night, Donald Trump announced, through his own social network, an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the United States “permanent control over Greenland’s security”, also banning in this Danish territory any military presence or sensitive investments from “adversary” countries. After Copenhagen confirmed that the agreement should be signed next week, reactions arose, with NATO and Emmanuel Macron having already spoken. What did you say?

Let's start at the beginning. In this publication in Truth Social, the American President pointed out that “The United States of America has signed an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland which gives the United States permanent control over security – and all other needs – in Greenland, fully meeting all our numerous concerns”, adding that the agreement will have “no cost” for the US.

“ Besides, from now on, no US opponent can in any case have a military base or presence in Greenland or make sensitive investments in the territory without our express written approval“, it still went on the same note. 

“ For more than 100 years, the presidents acknowledged the strategic importance of Greenland, but NO one of them could do anything about it. I am proud to be the President who has permanently and definitively resolved this very important situation. This is a ‘perpetuity’ agreement; there is no deadline to end!“, he exalted.

On the same night, the Denmark and Greenland confirmed the agreement with the United States on security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic (whose text has not yet been revealed) – which is due to be signed next week in the margins of the UN General Assembly, but its effective implementation will depend on the approval of the Danish and Greenland parliaments.

“ I welcome the prospect of a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States.”, stated Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a statement following the announcement of American President Donald Trump. The agreement “strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic and is therefore beneficial for NATO and Europe,” he said.

In turn, Greenland’s head of government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, welcomed the agreement “which guarantees and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States and the Western Alliance”.

“It will contribute to security, stability and cooperation”

It was NATO's turn to speak on Saturday. The Atlantic Alliance considered that the agreement announced between Denmark, Greenland and the United States “will contribute to security, stability and cooperation” in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

The agreement was concluded by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and its spokesman told the British Sky News that it will be important for “a vital region”.

In turn, the chairman of the military committee of the Atlantic Alliance, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, considered this compromise as an agreement and as such is welcome, since NATO “has many ongoing activities” in the region from a military point of view, said at a press conference cited by Europe Press.

Yesterday too, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the agreement reached between the United States, Denmark and Greenland whereas “helps to calm things down” and “reaffirm danish sovereignty” over this territory.

“ I only note that Danish sovereignty is respected, that international law is respected and that is what we were asking for. So it’s good news”Macron said during a visit to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

The French Head of State also stated that his country will continue to cooperate with Denmark within NATO through joint exercises aimed at “strengthening and consolidating Danish sovereignty in Greenland” and the security of the territory, as well as promoting economic cooperation through the European Union.

“Military installations are for the benefit of the United States”

Another opinion came from the Danish researcher Ulrik Gad, who admitted that Denmark's agreement with the United States on Greenland can give some us control over investments in the island, ending the crisis between the two countries.

At an online press conference from Roskilde, Denmark, the specialist in relations Denmark-Greenland at the Danish Institute for International Relations presented its analysis: “Looking at the 1951 agreement, we see that the United States can do virtually whatever it wants within the currently established defense area. However, the creation of new areas of defence will require the approval of Greenland and Denmark. The important thing is to understand if the formulation in the new agreement is more or less restrictive with regard to new bases and new territories“, Gad said.

It should be noted that, over the past year, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use military force to annex Greenland, claiming that the territory was essential for the national security of the United States.

In July, outside the NATO summit, Trump even said that Greenland was “very important” to the United States, but “not to Denmark,” and reiterated that Washington “needs Greenland to protect the world, not just the United States.”.