'NATO Must Ensure Defence': Greenland Over Possible US Invasion

Last Updated:January 13, 2026, 07:29 IST

Greenland’s PM rejects US President Donald Trump’s takeover plans, demands NATO defense, citing strategic Arctic interests and tensions over Copenhagen’s protection abilities.

President Donald Trump said the US needs Greenland for national security not for its natural resourses.

Amid US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to take over Greenland, Nuuk has reiterated that it will not accept the takeover under “any circumstance" and demanded NATO to ensure its defence.

The Prime Minister of Greenland’s Office issued a statement on Monday stating, “The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something the government coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstances."

It further said: “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As a part of the Realm, Greenland is a member of NATO, and the defense of Greenland must therefore be insured through NATO."

The remarks come amid repeated comments by US President Donald Trump, who has previously suggested bringing Greenland under US control, citing strategic and security interests in the Arctic.

While Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, the Trump administration has increasingly questioned the ability of Copenhagen to defend the island. Vice President JD Vance recently accused Denmark of failing to protect the strategically vital landmass, framing the issue around missile defence and the “civilisational" importance of the Arctic.

The strategic value of Greenland is multifaceted, involving its position at the GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-UK) Gap—a critical naval choke point—and its vast untapped deposits of rare earth minerals essential for high-tech and military hardware. The US already operates Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule) under a 1951 treaty, but the President now insists that mere access is insufficient.

Recently, The Daily Mail had quoted the sources saying the President has asked the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare the invasion plan, but it is being resisted by the joint chiefs of staff on the grounds that it would be illegal – and would not be supported by Congress.

“They have tried to distract Trump by talking about less controversial measures, such as intercepting Russian ‘ghost’ ships – a clandestine network of hundreds of vessels operated by Moscow to evade Western sanctions – or launching a strike on Iran," one of the sources said.

The sources said that the plan, led by political adviser Stephen Miller, has been formulated after the success of the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and they aim to seize the island before Russia or China makes a move.

News world 'NATO Must Ensure Defence': Greenland Over Possible US Invasion

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