Denmark doesn’t ‘appreciate the tone’ of US Greenland remarks, minister says

London – Denmark is open to discussions with the United States on how to “repair” Greenland’s status quo, the country’s foreign minister said after Vice President JD Vance accused Copenhagen of failing to adequately protect the Arctic island during a controversial visit to Friday.

In a publication up to X addressed to Denmark “Dear American Friends” at the end of Friday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasussen said his nation agreed that the “status quo” in the Arct “was not an option.”

“So let’s talk about how we can repair it – together,” Rasmussen writes.

In a video statement, Rasmussen admitted “many accusations and many accusations” for Greenland. “Of course, we are open to criticism, but let me be completely honest – we do not appreciate the tone in which it is delivered.”

“This is not how you talk to your close allies,” Rasmussen continued, “and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies.”

The Danish and Greenland leaders withdrew from Trump’s desire to win control over Greenland. At the same time, they criticized his perceived over, as they seek to alleviate tensions by offering more military and economic cooperation in Arctic drought.

“We respect that the United States needs a more military presence in Greenland, as Vice President Vance mentioned tonight. We – Denmark and Greenland – are very open to discuss this with you,” Rasmussen says in his statement.

The existing bilateral defense agreement – signed in 1951 – “offers enough opportunities for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,” Rasmussen said. “If you wish, then let’s discuss it.”

President Donald Trump repeatedly – both in his first term and after returning to office for his second – expressed his ambition to take control of the island. The call of Rasmussen for dialogue came shortly after Vance finished his visit to Greenland, which is an autonomous territory in the kingdom of Denmark.

Speaking to members of the US Service at the American Space Base on the northwest coast of Greenland, Vance said, “Well, the President said we should have Greenland. And I think we should be more serious about Greenland’s security.”

“We can’t just ignore this place,” he continued. “We can’t just ignore the president’s wishes.”

Vance said the Trump administration “respects the self-determination of Greenland people”, but suggested that the island would be safer under the US security umbrella.

Greenland has already been covered by the collective defense clause of Article 5, which is the basis of NATO, of which Denmark and the United States are members.

“Yes, the Greenland people will have a self -determination,” Vance said. “We hope they choose to partner with the United States, because we are the only nation on Earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security – because their security is very security.”

Vance accused Denmark of not providing adequate security against “many aggressive invasions from Russia, from China and from other nations.”

“Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job from the Greenland people. You have not joined the people of Greenland and have joined the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful drought filled with incredible people. That has to change,” he said.

Rasmussen said both Denmark and the United States have done too little in the Arctic since the end of the Cold War. “We have all acted on the assumption that the Arctic was and should be a low voltage zone, but that time is over,” he said. “The status quo is not an option.”

Trump has repeatedly expressed his ambition to acquire Greenland, despite the fierce criticism by leaders in Greenland, Denmark and Europe. It seems a little support among Greenland for his proposal. A January poll by Verian, ordered by the Danish Berlingske document, showed that only 6% of the Genlands are to become part of the United States, with 9% indefinitely.

The island is sitting in a strategic position facing the North Coast of Russia across the Arctic Ocean and near two shipping routes – the Northeast and Northwest Passions. It is also believed that Greenland is home to a large amount of valuable mineral deposits. Both shipping routes are expected to become more accessible as the minerals are more accessible as the warming climate causes the sea ice to withdraw further.

“We have to have Greenland. It’s not a matter of: Do you think we can do without it? We can’t,” Trump said in an oval office on Friday. “If you look at Greenland right now, if you look at the waterways, you have Chinese and Russian ships everywhere and we won’t be able to do it.”

“We do not rely on Denmark or someone else to take care of this situation,” he added. “And we’re not talking about peace for the United States.”

“Greenland is very important for the peace of the world – not for us, the peace of the world,” the president said. “And I think Denmark understands it. I think the European Union understands it. And if they don’t, we’ll have to explain it to them.”

ABC News, Molly Nagle and Michelle Stoddart contribution to this report.