COPENHAGEN — Denmark’s prime minister warned that her country is facing a “decisive moment” in an escalating diplomatic standoff with the United States over Greenland, after President Donald Trump once again suggested the use of force to take control of the vast Arctic territory, according to Hurriyet Daily News.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the dispute has moved beyond speculation and into open conflict, carrying implications far greater than Greenland alone. Speaking during a debate with Danish political leaders, she described the situation as a critical test of international norms, sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own future.
“There is a conflict over Greenland,” Frederiksen said. “This is a decisive moment, and the stakes reach far beyond this single issue.”
In a message posted on Facebook, Frederiksen underscored Denmark’s readiness to defend its principles. “We are prepared to stand up for our values wherever necessary, including in the Arctic,” she wrote. “We believe in international law and in the right of peoples to self-determination.”
Trump reignited tensions by declaring that the United States would “do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” language that drew swift condemnation from European leaders.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson denounced what he called Washington’s “threatening rhetoric,” emphasizing Nordic and European unity behind Denmark. Speaking at a defense conference in Sälen attended by NATO’s top U.S. commander, Kristersson said Sweden, the Nordic and Baltic nations, and several major European countries were firmly aligned with Copenhagen.
Germany also reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of high-level discussions in Washington on global competition for strategic raw materials. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, traveling to the United States for talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met first with Icelandic officials to address growing security concerns in the Arctic.
“Security in the Arctic is becoming increasingly important,” Wadephul said at a joint news conference in Reykjavik. “It is a matter of shared interest within NATO.”
As global powers intensify their focus on the resource-rich and strategically vital Arctic region, Denmark’s warning signals a broader struggle over influence, law, and sovereignty at the top of the world.
