German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is holding high-level talks in Washington on Monday in light of US threats of a violent takeover of Greenland and discussions about a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The conservative politician plans to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday afternoon.
In addition to Greenland and further support for Ukraine, as it continues to defend itself against the full-scale Russian invasion, the talks are expected to focus on trans-Atlantic security and defence policy.
Wadephul had reminded the United States of its responsibility for freedom, self-determination and towards NATO before his departure.
US President Donald Trump cites the strategic importance of Greenland, a large presence of Russian and Chinese ships in the region and the island’s natural resources as reasons for his threats.
En route to Washington, Wadephul made a stop in Iceland, roughly 300 kilometres south-east of Greenland, on Sunday for talks with his Icelandic counterpart Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir about security in the Arctic region.
Wadephul said Germany wants to make a greater contribution to military security in the region, where the German armed forces already contribute to maritime surveillance.
Like the US and Germany, Iceland and Greenland, which officially belongs to Denmark, are members of the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance.
Train journey to UN in New York
Unexpectedly, Wadephul plans to travel by train to New York on Monday afternoon to meet UN Secretary General António Guterres.
The background to the visit is the US announcement to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including numerous UN ones. Washington justified the withdrawal by claiming that the organizations are not compatible with US interests.
Many of these organizations deal with the environment and climate, gender equality, education, democracy, civil society and the rule of law.