Finance
Denmark says Greenland security talks must respect territorial integrity
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 22, 2026
3 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 22, 2026
3 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Denmark and Greenland discuss Arctic security with NATO and the US, focusing on territorial integrity and strategic cooperation.
By Stine Jacobsen
COPENHAGEN, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday that Denmark and Greenland remain open to constructive dialogue on Arctic security provided discussions respect her country's territorial integrity.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday walked back threats to impose tariffs on European countries opposing his desire to seize Greenland in remarks at Davos, and ruled out the use of force. He suggested progress had been made on a deal to end the dispute over the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said Western Arctic allies could forge an agreement that satisfies his desire for a "Golden Dome" missile‑defence system to protect the U.S. and access to minerals, while blocking what Trump says are Russia and China's ambitions.
ARCTIC SECURITY A MATTER FOR ALL OF NATO
Frederiksen said NATO was fully aware of Denmark's position, and that she had been informed that Rutte's talks did not involve her country's sovereignty.
"Security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire NATO alliance. Therefore, it is good and natural that it is also discussed between NATO's secretary general and the president of the United States," Frederiksen said in a statement.
"The Kingdom of Denmark wishes to continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the United States' Golden Dome, provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity," she said.
US MILITARY SCALED DOWN GREENLAND PRESENCE
The U.S. had thousands of troops on Greenland during the Cold War, but in recent decades has radically scaled back its military presence on the resource-rich island, which is part of NATO through Denmark's membership in the alliance.
The U.S. military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik air base in northwest Greenland under a 1951 agreement that also allows the U.S. to build bases provided it notifies Denmark and Greenland.
The island has extensive autonomy from Denmark, though this excludes foreign affairs and defence unless agreed. Since 2009, it has had the right to declare independence after holding a referendum and gaining Danish parliamentary approval.
"... it is of course only Denmark and Greenland itself that can strike agreements regarding questions concerning Denmark and Greenland," Frederiksen said.
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said nothing could be decided without the participation of Greenland.
"NATO in no way has a sole mandate to negotiate anything without us from Greenland," she said.
(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Essi Lehto; writing by Stine Jacobsen and Niklas Pollard; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that a state has the right to defend its territory and maintain its borders against external interference.
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries from North America and Europe, formed to ensure collective defense and security among its member states.
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