US to Meet Denmark on Greenland as Military Option Stays Open

Diplomatic Showdown Over Arctic Territory

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he will meet with Danish officials next week to discuss Greenland, while the White House maintains that military action remains 'an option' to acquire the strategic Arctic territory. The Trump administration has intensified its push to gain control of Greenland, citing national security needs in the face of growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic region.

'We do it always the other way if possible, that was also the case with Venezuela,' Rubio told reporters when asked if the U.S. was willing to risk NATO's existence over Greenland. His reference to the recent U.S. commando operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro sent shockwaves through European capitals.

NATO Alliance Under Strain

The situation has created unprecedented strain within the NATO alliance, with Denmark and the United States both members of the defense pact. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned earlier that a U.S. attack on a NATO ally would be disastrous. 'If the U.S. decides to attack another NATO country, then everything would come to a standstill. That applies to NATO and thus the post-war order of international security,' she stated.

European NATO countries have rallied behind Denmark, with France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom jointly affirming that Greenland 'belongs to its people.' French Foreign Minister Barrot said he discussed the issue with his German and Polish counterparts, stating 'We want to take action, but we want to do it together, as European partners.'

Strategic Importance of Greenland

Greenland's value lies in its strategic location between Europe and North America in the increasingly important Arctic region. As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to previously inaccessible resources, control of Greenland offers significant geopolitical advantages. The island is also rich in critical minerals, including rare earth elements essential for modern technology and defense applications.

The U.S. already operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland under a 1951 treaty with Denmark, supporting missile warning and space surveillance operations. However, the Trump administration seeks more direct control, arguing that rising threats from China and Russia in the Arctic necessitate stronger American presence.

Purchase Option Also Considered

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration is also discussing purchasing Greenland. 'President Trump always keeps all options open. His first option is always diplomatic dialogue,' she said. However, both Denmark and Greenland have rejected this possibility as unacceptable.

According to reports, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland's counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt had requested the meeting with Rubio after previous attempts failed. The meeting is expected to coincide with next Thursday's meeting of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body.

European Response Plans

European governments are reportedly developing contingency plans should the U.S. act on its threats. French Foreign Minister Barrot claimed Rubio had assured him yesterday that the U.S. excludes military action in Greenland. 'He rejected the idea that what happened in Venezuela could also happen in Greenland,' Barrot said, though Rubio's public statements suggest otherwise.

The situation represents one of the most serious tests of NATO unity in decades, with the potential to fundamentally reshape transatlantic relations. As Greenland remains an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, any forced transfer would violate international law and established sovereignty principles.

The coming week's diplomatic engagement will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike, as the outcome could determine not only Greenland's future but the stability of the Western alliance system that has underpinned global security since World War II.