Politics Denmark invests in Greenland's security after Trump's claim
The Danish government wants to strengthen its military presence in the north by investing billions. Shortly beforehand, future US President Donald Trump had laid claim to Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.
24.12.2024, 12:52
SDA
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that a "double-digit billion amount" was earmarked for this. He did not give an exact sum. Ten billion Danish kroner is the equivalent of around 1.34 billion euros.
Two new Thetis-class patrol boats, two new long-range drones, two new sled dog teams for the Sirius patrol in Greenland and more personnel for the Arctic Command are to be purchased, as Poulsen told the newspaper "Jyllands-Posten". "We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence."
Timing of the announcement is an "irony of fate"
US President-elect Trump had already proposed buying Greenland during his first term in office. Now he wrote on the online platform Truth Social, which he co-founded: "In the interest of national security and freedom in the world, the United States believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
Danish Minister Poulsen called it an "irony of fate" that his government made the military investment the day after Trump's comments. At the same time, he emphasized that Denmark could not monitor Greenland's vast territory alone. "There are no concrete plans, but we will work together with the USA," said Poulsen.
The Greenlandic leadership had previously rejected Trump's claim. Greenland is not for sale, said head of government Múte Egede. At the same time, he emphasized: "We must continue to be open to cooperation." The Danish government backed this position.
