"If we have to choose, we will choose Denmark": why the Prime Minister of Greenland publicly rejected Trump
14.01.2026The island, which has been called "ideal real estate," responds: our choice is Denmark, NATO, and the EU, not the USA.
Greenland has found itself at the epicenter of a major geopolitical row, but this time it has decided not to speak in whispers. The Prime Minister of the autonomous territory, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, stated bluntly at a joint press conference in Copenhagen: "If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU."1 6 This is not only a cold response to Donald Trump's latest statements about wanting to "take" Greenland, but also a demonstration that the small Arctic nation is ready to publicly defend its subjectivity between two allies who suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of claims to the same piece of land.1 3 .
What exactly did Nielsen say — and where?
On January 12–13, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen spoke in Copenhagen alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a joint press conference dedicated to the tension in relations with Washington due to Donald Trump's statements regarding the island's "possible accession" to the United States.1 6 "We are currently experiencing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, our choice is Denmark," Nielsen said, adding: "We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU."1 6 7 .
These words were spoken on the eve of a scheduled meeting at the White House, where US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were to host the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland to talk about the future of the island, the US military base Pituffik (formerly Thule) and security in the Arctic.1 5 6 Nielsen actually set the framework for the visit: there will be no "bargaining for territory."
Direct rejection of the "deal of the century": "Greenland will not be the property of the US"
In his speech, the prime minister went beyond diplomatic formulas. "This should be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by anyone. Greenland does not want to belong to the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States," Nielsen stressed, as quoted by the BBC, DW, CBS and Bloomberg.1 3 6 8 He emphasized that the current model — a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark with broad autonomy — is the format that Greenlanders want to preserve.
This is the strongest and most direct public rejection that Copenhagen and Nuuk (the capital of Greenland) have made in response to Trump's attempts to "sell" the idea of buying or actually annexing the island as a "great real estate deal."3 9 If earlier the Danish authorities limited themselves to the word "absurd", now the Greenlandic Prime Minister himself articulated: the issue is not in price or conditions, but in the fundamental unwillingness to change political affiliation.
Denmark: "The hardest part is ahead, but sovereignty is not for sale"
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supported Nielsen at the same press conference and, according to BBC and CBS, called the current moment "fatal."1 6 She said the country has had to "resist completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally for a long and difficult time," alluding to the tone the Trump administration has taken in public statements about Greenland.1 6 .
Frederiksen recalled that Denmark is a founder of NATO and has "proved with blood" its loyalty to the alliance by sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, where the Danes suffered the third-highest casualties in the alliance, per capita.5 Against this background, she said, threats of “action against Greenland” look like an attempt to put pressure on a country that voluntarily stood by the United States in the most difficult moments.5 .
What Washington wants: Greenland as the "perfect deal" in the Arctic
For the Donald Trump administration, the Greenland issue is not just an emotion, but also a strategy. For years, the president has called the island “great real estate,” openly spoken of his desire to “buy” it from Denmark, and criticized Copenhagen for its “inability to defend” the territory, despite its small defense spending on Greenland.5 The White House appeals to the fact that the US maintains the Pituffik base there — a key element of the ballistic missile early detection and space monitoring system — and therefore has a special interest in controlling the island.5 .
American officials have repeatedly claimed that "Greenland is surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships," although the Danish military has denied this, stressing that there are no permanent Russian or Chinese naval forces in Greenlandic waters.5 But even an exaggerated threat allows Washington to advance the argument: if Denmark does not want “someone else” to increase its presence, it must agree to “greater US control.”
What's at stake for Greenland
For an island with a population of about 57 people, most of whom are indigenous Greenlanders (Inuit), the issue is not limited to the flag over the administration building, DW and Time analysts emphasize.3 4 8 Greenland is already a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, controlling most internal matters, including resources, while Denmark is responsible for defense, foreign policy, and some finances.3 5 .
In the event of any radical change in status—transferring to U.S. control or full independence—the island would have to address issues of energy, infrastructure, subsidies, and social programs that are currently largely funded by Copenhagen and Brussels.3 8 Nielsen's speech shows that the current Greenlandic government prefers to discuss how to expand autonomy within the Kingdom, rather than play "geopolitical roulette" between the United States, Denmark, and other players.
"We choose NATO, the kingdom and the EU": why the Prime Minister emphasized these three elements
Nielsen's phrase about choosing in favor of "NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU" is not a rhetorical device, but a clear signal to several audiences at once1 6 8 First, it reminds Washington that Greenland is already integrated into Western security structures through Denmark, and does not stand “in a vacuum” where it can simply be annexed as a new American state or overseas territory.
Secondly, the focus on the EU is important for Brussels: although Greenland itself is outside the customs territory of the European Union, its connection with Denmark and status in the Kingdom give the EU reason to consider the issue of the island's future as an element of its own security policy in the Arctic.3 6 Thus, Nielsen is actually asking Europe not to stay out of the dispute with Washington.
Allies' reaction: "Only Denmark and Greenland can decide their own fate"
BBC and CBS report that a number of NATO partners — including European nations and Canada — publicly supported Denmark and Greenland this week, stating that “only Denmark and Greenland can decide on their relationship.”1 6 They stressed that Arctic security should be ensured “collectively,” in close coordination with the United States, but without violating the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders enshrined in the UN Charter.1 3 .
In practical terms, this means that even Washington's closest allies are not prepared to watch silently as the US tests the limits of what is acceptable towards its NATO partners. Copenhagen's statements that any US military action against Greenland would mean "the end of NATO" by triggering Article 5 to attack Denmark add weight to this signal.5 .
Why is the Prime Minister talking about a "geopolitical crisis"?
It was no coincidence that Nielsen described the situation as a "geopolitical crisis."1 3 The island has the interests of at least three major powers: the United States, which already has a strategic military base there; Russia, which seeks to strengthen its presence in the North Atlantic; and China, which is eyeing Greenland's resources - minerals, rare earth metals, and the logistics routes of the Northern Sea Route.3 5 .
Amid Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and the general militarization of the Arctic, the pressure on Greenland will only increase. Whether Greenland becomes a field of open competition between great powers or part of a coordinated security architecture of the West depends on how clearly the island and Denmark draw "red lines."3 8 .
Ukrainian perspective: sovereignty, allies and dangerous precedents
For Ukraine, the story of Greenland is another reminder that even longtime US allies can come under pressure when geopolitical calculations prevail over diplomatic curtseys.3 5 As the White House tests the limits on Denmark—a country that has fought alongside the U.S. military for decades and has an impeccable reputation as an ally—it becomes clear that security guarantees and respect for sovereignty never come “automatically.”
In this context, Nielsen's tough and public response, supported by Frederiksen and NATO partners, is also important for Kyiv. It demonstrates that even in relations with the most powerful ally, it is possible and necessary to clearly mark the boundaries beyond which no government is willing to cross if it wants to maintain the trust of its own society.1 6 For Ukraine, which is counting on long-term security agreements with the West, this is a lesson: subjectivity is not given, it constantly has to be confirmed both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
Sources
- BBC News: "We choose Denmark over US, Greenland's PM says" — Nielsen's key quotes about choosing Denmark, NATO and the EU, the context of the press conference in Copenhagen.
- Al Jazeera: "'We choose Denmark' over joining US, says Greenland PM..." — an extended account of Nielsen's statements, the reaction of the Greenland coalition government to Trump's "threats of annexation."
- DW: "'We choose Denmark' over the US, Greenland's PM says" — confirmation of the rejection of any scenario of transition to US jurisdiction, assessment of the situation as a "geopolitical crisis."
- TIME: "In Rebuke of Trump, Greenland Declares – Denmark" — interpretation of Nielsen's statements as a direct rebuff to Trump's pressure, emphasis on the formula "we choose Denmark, NATO and the EU."
- Military.com: Analytical material on the Pituffik (Thule) base, Greenland's role in US and NATO defense, and Frederiksen's warning that any US forceful action against Greenland would mean "the end of NATO."
- CBS News: "Greenland's prime minister says 'we choose Denmark'..." — quotes from Nielsen and Frederiksen, announcement of a meeting between the ministers of Denmark and Greenland with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio at the White House.
- CNBC: "Greenland PM's message for Trump: 'We choose Denmark'..." — details about Greenland's position on NATO and the EU and the broader context of American pressure.
- UNN: "Greenlandic Rift: Will Denmark and Europe withstand the pressure of Washington's appetites" — Ukrainian review of the dispute, analysis of Trump's arguments and Denmark's response.
