Denmark, Greenland, and the United States are expected to sign a new security agreement on Greenland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The agreement aims to place greater responsibility for Arctic security under NATO, following months of diplomatic tensions over US President Donald Trump's demands for greater control over Greenland. The deal is expected to benefit Greenland while respecting the island's sovereignty.
The full text of the agreement has not been made public, leaving key details unclear, including whether it will amend the 1951 defence agreement that provides the legal basis for the US military presence in Greenland. Trump claimed that the agreement would give the US "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland." He also said no US adversary would be allowed to establish a base or maintain a military presence on the island without Washington's written approval.
Denmark and Greenland have not commented directly on Trump's claim, but both have said the agreement would benefit Greenland while respecting the island's sovereignty. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the deal would ensure that responsibility for Arctic security would not rest solely with Denmark or the US. Rasmussen told national broadcaster TV2 that "it would be NATO that looks after the Arctic" to a large extent.
A NATO spokesperson welcomed the agreement, saying it would "help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region." Rasmussen declined to disclose further details about the agreement but said that Denmark is open to accommodating the US' legitimate security interests. The agreement follows months of pressure from Trump, who has repeatedly said the US should control Greenland.
Trump's comments triggered a diplomatic crisis within NATO and prompted Denmark and Greenland to begin negotiations with Washington in an effort to ease tensions. Copenhagen has previously acknowledged that it underinvested in Greenland's defence for decades and has pledged to increase its military presence on the island, including through greater NATO involvement.
Greenland's government has also sought to reassure residents about the agreement. Erik Jensen, an opposition lawmaker in Greenland, said he had read the draft agreement and was reassured by its contents. Jensen added that Greenland's foreign minister was handling the negotiations well, and he was not worried about the agreement's impact on the island.
Despite the planned signing, important details of the agreement remain undisclosed, particularly its relationship with the 1951 defence pact governing the US military presence in Greenland. The agreement is expected to be signed on Tuesday, marking a significant development in Arctic security and NATO's involvement in the region.
Key points
- The new security agreement aims to place greater responsibility for Arctic security under NATO.
- The agreement follows months of diplomatic tensions over US President Donald Trump's demands for greater control over Greenland.
- The deal is expected to benefit Greenland while respecting the island's sovereignty.
