More NATO troops are heading to Greenland, the Arctic island's deputy prime minister has said, after a White House meeting between US, Danish and Greenlandic leaders that failed to resolve what the Danish foreign minister characterised as a "fundamental disagreement".
"Soldiers of NATO are expected to be more present in Greenland from today and in the coming days. It is expected that there will be more military flights and ships," Greenland deputy prime minister Mute Egede told a news conference on Wednesday, adding they would be "training".
France, Germany and Nordic countries said earlier they would be taking part in a European military mission to the autonomous Danish territory, which is coveted by US President Donald Trump.
Trump held open the possibility Wednesday for a resolution on his designs over Greenland after Denmark's top diplomat said he failed to change the administration's mind on wanting to conquer the island.
The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, an autonomous territory under Copenhagen's sovereignty, met at the White House with US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio in a meeting the visitors had requested to clear up "misunderstandings" after Trump's bellicose language toward the fellow NATO member.
'Something will work out,' Trump says
Trump, speaking after the meeting which he did not attend, for the first time sounded conciliatory on Greenland, acknowledging Denmark's interests even if he again said he was not ruling out any options.
"I have a very good relationship with Denmark, and we'll see how it all works out. I think something will work out," Trump said without explaining further.
He again said Denmark was powerless if Russia or China wanted to occupy Greenland, but added: "There's everything we can do."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, speaking after leaving the White House, said a US takeover of Greenland was "absolutely not necessary."
Denmark's foreign minister Lars LĆøkke Rasmussen (left) has urged the US to engage in "respectful" cooperation over the future of Greenland. Source: AP / John McDonnell
"We still have fundamental disagreement, but we will continue to talk," he said.
We also agree to disagree," he added.
He said the issue was "very emotional" for the people of Greenland and Denmark, a steadfast US ally whose troops died alongside Americans in Afghanistan and, controversially, Iraq.
"Ideas that would not respect [the] territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of self-determination of the Greenlandic people are, of course, totally unacceptable," Løkke said.
He nonetheless said the tone was "constructive" and said the sides would form a committee that would meet within weeks to see if there was possible headway.
Referring to the British prime minister who trumpeted his diplomacy with Hitler, Løkke said, "I am not a Chamberlain to say "Peace for our time," but we must seize the opportunities that present themselves."
Two dogsleds or $14 billion?
While the talks were underway, the White House posted on X: "Which way, Greenland man?"
The post included a 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 Løkke said no Chinese ship had been spotted there in a decade and that there were no major Chinese investments.
Denmark promised ahead of the meeting to ramp up its military presence further in the vast, sparsely populated and strategically located island.
Trump has derided recent Danish efforts to increase security for Greenland as amounting to "two dogsleds." Denmark says it has invested almost US$14 billion in Arctic security.
NATO boosts military presence around Greenland
Ahead of the meeting, which lasted less than two hours and wrapped up at around noon, Greenland and Denmark said they had started to increase their military presence in and around Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies, as part of their promise to beef up Arctic defence.
Denmark also announced immediate military exercises that will include aircraft, vessels and soldiers, with Sweden also participating.
In another show of solidarity with Denmark following Trump's threats, Germany and France both said Wednesday they will send troops to Greenland.
Germany's defence ministry said it would send a 13-person reconnaissance team to "explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region", the German defence ministry said.
In a social media post just hours before the meeting between Vance and the foreign ministers, Trump said Greenland was "vital for the Golden Dome that we are building".
He said NATO would become far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the US. "Anything less than that is unacceptable," he wrote.
In a follow-up post citing Russia and China, Trump wrote: "NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won't do it! Only the USA can!!!"
Trump had repeatedly said in recent weeks that the strategically located and mineral-rich island is vital to US security, and the US must own it to prevent Russia or China from occupying it.
He has said all options are on the table for securing the territory, a rhetoric that has strained relations between Denmark and the US.
Greenland and Denmark say the island is not for sale, and that threats of force are reckless and security concerns should be resolved among allies. Prominent European Union countries have backed Denmark, which is a member of the NATO alliance.
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