Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen defended Greenland\u2019s sovereignty after remarks by President Trump, urging Nato allies to stand united in upholding international law and regional stability<\/p>\n
Greenland\u2019s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Thursday urged Nato allies to unite in defending international law, pushing back against fresh remarks by US President Donald Trump about the Arctic island.<\/p>\n
Nielsen\u2019s comments came after Trump criticised Nato for what he described as its reluctance to get involved in the conflict with Iran, which he launched alongside Israel.<\/p>\n
In a social media post, Trump expressed frustration with the alliance, saying it had not supported the US when needed and would not be there \u201cif we need them again. REMEMBER GREENLAND, THAT BIG, POORLY RUN, PIECE OF ICE\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Nielsen rejected the characterisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not some piece of ice. We are a proud population of 57,000 people, working every single day as good global citizens in full respect for all our allies,\u201d Reuters quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n
Nielsen underlined the importance of maintaining the post-war geopolitical order, including the NATO defence alliance and globally respected international law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose things are being challenged now, and I think all allies should stand together to try to maintain them. I hope that will happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Greenland wary of US goals<\/p>\n
Nato allies had earlier this year rushed to preserve unity within the Nato after US President Donald Trump renewed his push to take control of Greenland from Denmark, a fellow alliance member.<\/p>\n
In January, the White House said Trump was considering the use of military force in Greenland, prompting countries including Germany and France to deploy small troop contingents to the island as a show of solidarity and deterrence.<\/p>\n
Trump later stepped back following talks with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, saying that \u201cthe framework of a future deal\u201d had been reached and shifting the dispute onto a diplomatic path. His latest social media remarks on Greenland came after another meeting with Rutte on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Diplomatic discussions between Greenland, Denmark and the United States began in late January and are still ongoing, with further meetings planned, according to Greenland\u2019s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.<\/p>\n
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Trump and his supporters have argued that the US needs Greenland to counter threats from Russia and China in the Arctic, claiming Denmark cannot adequately guarantee its security.<\/p>\n
The United States already maintains a military base on the island and retains the option to expand its presence under a 1951 treaty.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be strange, when all parties want to discuss increased defence cooperation, not to factor in that agreement (from 1951),\u201d Nielsen said, declining to go into further detail on what was being discussed in the negotiations.<\/p>\n
Despite the talks, Nielsen made clear he did not believe Trump had abandoned his ambitions regarding the island: \u201cI cannot see that his desire to either take over or control Greenland has been taken off the table,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With inputs from agencies<\/p>\n
First Published:
\nApril 09, 2026, 23:43 IST<\/p>\n
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