Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned on Monday that while the United States has reportedly backed away from military threats, Washington fundamentally continues to seek control over the autonomous Arctic territory, according to a speech delivered to the parliament in Nuuk. This assertion follows intensified calls for US influence earlier in the year, framed by American national security concerns regarding strategic competition with Russia and China.
Nielsen stated explicitly that the American perspective on Greenland has not shifted, noting, "Greenland is to be tied to the US and governed from there," as reported by sources covering the address. The Prime Minister confirmed that the US government is actively exploring various "paths to ownership and control over Greenland," indicating a persistent geopolitical objective despite assurances from the US President.
This sustained pressure has reportedly impacted the local population, prompting the Greenlandic government to launch a survey on mental health last week. Nielsen described the resulting environment as one of "constant uncertainty," highlighting severe sleep problems and anxiety among residents, which the government deems "completely unacceptable."
Diplomatic channels remain active, as senior officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland met last week to discuss Arctic security while respecting the Kingdom of Denmark's sovereignty red lines. Denmark's foreign ministry confirmed the talks aimed to address American security concerns within established parameters, according to official statements.
Nielsen also publicly reaffirmed the close partnership with Denmark throughout this period of external pressure. Previous statements by the Prime Minister suggested that Greenland would favor alignment with Denmark over the US should a direct choice be forced upon the island nation.
Geopolitically, the situation has caused friction within NATO, as some European allies have defended Danish sovereignty against perceived US pressure that threatened alliance cohesion. The US President previously claimed to have secured total access to Greenland via a NATO agreement, though the specific terms of that understanding remain opaque.
For the Inuit native population, the debate over external ownership clashes with cultural norms regarding land stewardship, which traditionally emphasizes collective rather than private tenure. The Prime Minister’s speech did not address the prospect of full independence for Greenland at this time.
