About as many people live in Greenland as in Eschweiler, Neu-Ulm or Neustadt an der Weinstrasse.
The streets of the capital Nuuk are covered in snow and the sun sets early. But there can be no talk of peace and quiet – will the future of the huge Arctic island be decided in the coming days after Donald Trump’s threat of violent capture?
The US President said he would like to make a deal, “but if we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a meeting this week with representatives from Denmark, to which Greenland is officially a part. The conflict over the island is also likely to be part of the talks between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) and Rubio in Washington this Monday.
Denmark and Greenland strictly reject Trump’s annexation plans. Buying the island – apparently the US government is already discussing specific sums – is also out of the question for them. Trump repeatedly justifies his interest with security concerns and a suspected threat from China and Russia in the Arctic. Greenland is also rich in mineral resources such as rare earths and oil.
Greenland’s politics calls for dialogue
In Greenland, the broadcaster KNR is now reporting in a live ticker about the threats from the USA and the corresponding reactions from the European Union, NATO and especially from Denmark. Greenland’s political parties reiterated in a joint statement: “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.”
The leaders of the parties in Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, demanded that the US “stop its contempt for our country.” Greenland’s future must be “decided by the Greenlandic people.” An intensive dialogue “with our allies and the countries with which we work” must be ensured.
Greenland was a colony of Denmark until 1953, but since 1979 it has received increasing self-government rights and is now largely autonomous. However, Denmark continues to decide on areas such as foreign and defense policy. The desire for complete independence has existed for years.
“I think we’re all starting to have enough of the US president. We’ve always led a quiet and peaceful life here,” BBC quoted a Nuuk resident as saying. “We just want to be left alone.” When asked about the Rubio meeting, a member of parliament told the British broadcaster that she hoped it would end with understanding and a willingness to compromise.
How does NATO react?
Due to its connection to Denmark, Greenland is automatically part of NATO – and therefore an ally of the USA. “Of course there are always different points of view, even between close partners. But they shouldn’t cause us to lose sight of the big picture,” warned Wadephul before his meeting with Rubio.
Shared responsibility includes “security in the North Atlantic, which NATO not only bears in its name, but which is also so strategically important for our common security,” said the CDU politician. These issues must be discussed together in NATO. The focus must be on the legitimate interests of all NATO allies such as those of the residents of Greenland and the region.
Several NATO states such as Great Britain had recently spoken out in favor of expanding the alliance’s presence in the Arctic. According to diplomats, one proposal envisages a surveillance operation called the “Arctic Sentry.” It is intended to take away the Americans’ argument that security in the strategically important region cannot be adequately guaranteed.
US base in Greenland
“We have to make it clear to the Americans in diplomatic talks that military action against a small NATO country would destroy the last trust in the alliance,” said CDU foreign policy expert Armin Laschet to the Funke media group.
The USA already operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on the basis of agreements with Denmark. This supports, among other things, missile warning systems as well as missile defense and space surveillance missions. The deployment of additional armed forces would be possible within the framework of the agreements. The Danish armed forces are present on the island primarily through the Arctic Command in Nuuk.
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NUUK/LONDON (dpa-AFX)