‘Agree to disagree’ is the provisional outcome of the conversation between the foreign ministers on Greenland

A cigarette and a box: those were the first images when Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt came out. On Wednesday afternoon, they met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Eisenhower Building on the White House grounds.

The reason for the conversation was US President Trump’s threats to take the largest island in the world, willingly or unwillingly, because the United States needs it for its own security. Rubio had been tasked with making a ‘purchase proposal’ to buy Greenland for $700 billion, according to the American television channel NBC.

In advance, the Danish media feared a ‘Zelensky’ meeting, in which Vance would insult his guests as he did with the Ukrainian president last year. That didn’t happen. After about 45 minutes the conversation was over. There was no joint press conference, but there was a meeting just before 8 p.m. Dutch time.

‘Not just a dog sled’

Rasmussen said that he and his Greenlandic colleague mainly wanted to know what the Americans’ concerns were, because everything they wanted in the field of security and defense has already been arranged. “We have long stated that the Arctic region must be well protected. We have Danish troops there, and not just a dogsled as suggested. It was a frank conversation between equal partners.” He emphasized that security can be guaranteed without the US taking Greenland.

Addressing her compatriots in Kalaallisut, the language spoken in Greenland, Motzfeldt said they are open to any form of security cooperation but reiterated that Greenland does not want to be part of the US.

A commission is being established to further discuss US concerns, while preserving Greenland’s sovereignty. The minister expects that committee, including representatives from Denmark, Greenland and the US, to meet within a few weeks. While emphasizing candor, Rasmussen also stated that there was “agree to disagree. We have not succeeded in overturning the American president’s vision. But in future discussions, taking Greenland remains a breaking point.”

Motzfeldt stated that there was still much work to be done, and Greenland would continue to do so as an ally and friend of the US. “Let us hope for understanding and respect for each other in the future.”

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Extra soldiers to Greenland

Prior to the talks, pressure was increased considerably from several sides. On Tuesday, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that everyone must understand one thing: “Greenland will not fall into the hands of the US. Greenland does not want to be ruled by the US.” And also: “If we have to choose here and now, we choose Denmark, NATO and the EU.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had already indicated that taking Greenland would mean the end of NATO and also expressed the fear that the worst was yet to come. She emphatically worked together with her Greenlandic colleague. On Wednesday there were demonstrations in Denmark in front of the American embassy and that morning it was announced that the Danish government had decided to send soldiers and military equipment to Greenland.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X that Swedish army officers had arrived in Greenland on Wednesday as part of a European force for the upcoming exercises. This is said to have been done at the request of the Danes. The Norwegians and Germans have also announced reinforcements.

A few hours before the meeting, the Danish ambassador to the US posted a photo of the Greenland and Danish foreign ministers on social media with the message: “the best team is on its way.” Meanwhile, the American president went wild on his own platform Truth Social: “NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won’t do it! Only the USA can!!!”

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More American tourists in Nuuk

Greenlandic Malu Rosing (27) talks over the telephone about how the threats are experienced on the ground. There is fear “of military intervention, but also of uncertainty. If the US is going to annex us, what position will we be in? It is clear that this president does not care about the Inuit people.”

Over the past year, American influence in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk has increased, she says. This was partly because there was a direct connection between Newark International Airport (in the state of New Jersey) and Nuuk airport. Suddenly there were more American tourists this summer. Since Donald Trump Jr.’s visit in January last year, many YouTube videos of Americans in Greenland have appeared. “There is more awareness about American influence on social media. And we recently heard about American investments in Greenland Water Bank [dat bronwater wint in de Lyngmark-bron in Qeqertarsuaq]”, says Rosing, who is an advisor on Arctic affairs, but speaks emphatically in a personal capacity.

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The Americans are responding to the wish for independence of Greenland, which is part of the Danish kingdom. Vice President Vance added fuel to the fire this spring by stating during his visit to the American military base in Greenland, Pituffik Space Base, that the Danes had mistreated and inadequately protected the Greenlanders.

We get more respect from the Danish government than from the US

It bothers Rosing that the desire for independence is included in the conversations. “That is not the most important issue now, but in any case the US is not an option. We do not want the threats to be used as a means to prevent Greenland’s independence from continuing.”

She does see that the bond with Denmark is being strengthened. “The responsibility that the Danish government took last year for the past is an important signal – and it seems as if it is open to more. We get more respect from the Danish government than from the US. But there is still a lot to be done, there must be mutual respect and a willingness to change.”

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