Greenland is again in the center of the game of superpowers. Donald Trump's words caused a storm
Greenland, the largest island in the world, has become the subject of international debate. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized on Monday that, as part of Denmark, a NATO member, Greenland is protected by the Alliance. The German government is in contact with Denmark and its European Union partners to discuss possible next steps.
The rest of the text is below the video
“Greenland, being part of Denmark, is essentially under NATO protection” — said Wadephul, referring to the words of US President Donald Trump, who said that the United States “really needs” Greenland. The German Foreign Minister noted that if new needs arise in the defense of the island, this topic may be raised within the Alliance.
“We need Greenland” – controversial declaration of Donald Trump
Trump's words were said in a Sunday interview with The Atlantic magazine. The American president referred to speculations that the latest military intervention in Venezuela could be an announcement of the fulfillment of his earlier declarations about Greenland's annexation to the US. When asked by a journalist about Secretary of State Mark Rubio's comment that Trump always follows through on his promises, the US president replied: “I really don't know. (…) You know, I wasn't referring to Greenland then. But we need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.” Trump added that the island is “surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships.”
Read also: The Prime Minister of Greenland sharply criticized the US actions. “Trump must abandon annexation fantasies”
The USA's attack on Greenland. Europe responds
The American leader's statements were met with a sharp reaction from the Danish and Greenlandic authorities. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appealed to the US administration to refrain from threats against Greenland. A similar tone was adopted by the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens Frederik Nielsen, who considered Trump's words a sign of disrespect.
At the same time, a spokesman for the German government reminded that “the borders cannot be moved by force“. Berlin remains in close contact with Copenhagen and EU partners on this matter to jointly respond to potential threats.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has been arousing the interest of superpowers for years. Its strategic location and rich natural resources make it a key point on the geopolitical map of the world.
Read also: Fish, raw materials and expensive flights. What are the costs of living in Greenland and how to get there?
