In recent days, Denmark has sent private messages to US President-elect Donald Trump's team regarding Greenland. The country is ready to discuss strengthening security on the island or increasing the military presence of the United States.
This is reported by Axios.
Trump's recent refusal to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland was effectively a threat to invade a longtime NATO ally, comments that caught Copenhagen and many other European capitals by surprise.
In particular, Trump stated that control over Greenland, the largest island in the world, is necessary for US national security in relations with Russia and China. In turn, climate change opens up the Arctic to competition between superpowers, and may also facilitate the development of Greenland's mineral wealth.
Although the island is largely autonomous, Denmark retains responsibility for defense. So, according to Axios sources, the Danish government wants to convince Trump, including through messages to his advisers this week, that the U.S. president-elect's security concerns can be addressed without claiming Greenland for the United States.
One European diplomat told the publication that Denmark is widely seen as one of the US's closest allies in the EU, and no one could have imagined that it would be the first country with which Trump would come into conflict.
Sources said the Danish government wants to avoid a public clash with the new US administration and asked a member of Trump's team to clarify exactly what the president-elect meant by his comments this week.
In messages transmitted, the Danish government made it clear that Greenland was not for sale, but expressed a willingness to discuss any other US requests for the island.
Yes, the US already has a military base in Greenland and a 1951 agreement with Denmark to protect the island, according to which an increase in the number of US troops could easily be discussed.
In addition, Danish officials have already said they are exploring further measures to increase investment in Greenland's military infrastructure and capabilities in consultation with the Greenlandic government.
The big question now is whether Trump will be satisfied with making deals with Denmark and declaring victory, or whether his real mission is to become the first president in 80 years to win new territories for the US.
Axios added that the island of Greenland played a key role in the defense of NATO and the US during the Cold War, as part of an early warning system to detect Soviet submarines or potential missiles.