The escalating rhetoric surrounding Greenland’s potential annexation by the United States is prompting a stark warning from a former Danish foreign minister, who argues that decisive action and credible deterrence are now necessary to protect the island’s sovereignty. Villy Sovndal, a prominent figure within the Green Party in the European Parliament, has publicly stated that Europe must actively dissuade Washington from pursuing its ambitions in the Arctic territory.
Sovndal’s comments, delivered to Der Spiegel, were a direct response to President Trump’s previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and his dismissive characterization of Denmark’s ability to ensure its security. He rejected Trump’s suggestion that Denmark’s contribution would be limited to “a few dog sleds” emphasizing the significant investment both Denmark and the United States have historically made in the region’s defense. Sovndal highlighted the presence of 10,000 US troops stationed on Greenland during the Cold War, compared to the current contingent of 140, while underscoring Denmark’s ongoing commitment to bolstering its own and Greenland’s security – a commitment he asserts fully fulfills their security responsibilities.
However, the former minister’s primary concern lies not in the existing level of military presence, but in the potential for a unilateral and forceful assertion of control. Sovndal warned that any attempt by the United States to militarily annex Greenland would fundamentally destabilize the transatlantic alliance, effectively signaling the demise of NATO and the established partnership between Europe and the United States. He explicitly stated that the consequences for Washington would be severe should they proceed with such a course of action.
Beyond deterrence, Sovndal advocated for the expansion of the Thule Agreement-2, a framework governing the US-Danish military cooperation on Greenland. He argues that the rapidly changing Arctic landscape, driven by climate change and the resulting strategic importance of the region, demands increased European involvement and a renewed commitment to maintaining stability. While the Thule Agreement currently includes Denmark, Sovndal’s call suggests an urgent need for broader European participation, signaling a potential shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the Arctic and raising questions about the future of US-European relations in the face of mounting strategic competition. This situation exposes a tension between the historical transatlantic partnership and the emerging realities of a rapidly warming north, prompting difficult questions about the limits of influence and the price of sovereignty.