Denmark says White House talks did not change US designs on Greenland

""We didn't manage to change the American position. It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland," Lkke told reporters after the meeting. "And we made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom." The minister said a US takeover of Greenland, where Washington has long had a military base, was "absolutely not necessary.""

""Ideas that would not respect territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable," Lkke said. "We therefore still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree." He said the two sides would form a committee that would meet within weeks to see if there was possible headway."

"Trump insisted hours before the talks that NATO should support the US effort to take control of Greenland, even though major European allies have all lined up to back Denmark. Trump said Greenland was "vital" for his planned Golden Dome air and missile defense system. "Anything less than that is unacceptable," he wrote on his Truth Social network. "IF WE DON'T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!""

"While the talks were underway, the White House posted on X: "Which way, Greenland man?" The post included an AI drawing of two dogsleds -- one heading towards the White House and a huge US flag, and the other towards Chinese and Russian flags over a lightning-bathed Kremlin and Great Wall of China. Neither country has claimed Greenland, and Lkke said no Chinese ship had been spotted there in a decade."

Denmark rejects a U.S. takeover of Greenland as unnecessary and incompatible with the kingdom's territorial integrity and Greenlandic self-determination. The issue is emotionally charged for Greenland and Denmark, longtime allies with shared military sacrifices. Despite a fundamental disagreement, both sides agreed to form a committee to meet within weeks to explore possible headway. The U.S. framed Greenland as strategically vital for a proposed Golden Dome air and missile defense system and warned of potential Russian or Chinese moves. The White House posted a mocking image on X, and Denmark pledged to increase its military presence in Greenland.

Read at www.thelocal.dk