NATO Allies Head to Greenland as U.S.–Denmark Standoff Over Control Drags On

Overview

• Denmark and Greenland said talks with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ended with a plan for a high-level working group but preserved a fundamental disagreement.
• President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States “needs” Greenland for national security, declined to rule out options, and urged NATO to facilitate U.S. control.
• Danish and Greenlandic leaders rejected any transfer of sovereignty, stressing Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
• At Denmark’s invitation, Germany, Sweden and Norway will send forces for a Jan. 15–17 reconnaissance/exercise mission, with Denmark reinforcing its own presence and France also announcing participation.
• U.S. deliberations about direct payments to residents or a Compact of Free Association were reported but not accepted by Danish or Greenlandic authorities, while an Ipsos poll cited by G1 found 17% of Americans support a purchase and 4% favor using force.