Greenland itself holds semi‑autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark, managing many of its internal affairs independently while Denmark oversees defense and foreign policy. This arrangement reflects decades of evolving political development on the island.
Officials in Nuuk have been firm that cooperation with allies — including the United States — is welcome, but this does not mean yielding control or becoming part of another sovereign state.
In fact, the government of Greenland has said that defense should continue to be handled through NATO, with the Kingdom of Denmark representing it in alliance structures, rather than being subject to unilateral control by any single external power.
This effort to anchor Greenland’s defense within established international frameworks indicates a preference for multilateral cooperation rather than bilateral takeovers.
NATO Allies and Regional Cooperation
The tension between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland’s security arrangements has not gone unnoticed among other NATO members.
Several European allies have signaled support for Denmark’s stance on sovereignty and international law. For example, German leaders have emphasized that external actors cannot unilaterally determine Greenland’s status, underscoring the primacy of international norms.
Meanwhile, NATO partners such as Sweden and Norway have joined Danish‑led Arctic military exercises, signaling a broader alliance interest in maintaining readiness in the region. Continue reading…
