Trump gave Greenland two months. Why the US is provoking a new crisis – in brief

Sensational arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela once again fueled fears that Donald Trump He is ready to move from words to action and use force against other countries to which he has claims. Over the weekend, he twice spoke about the annexation of Greenland, which could split NATO and the EU.What are Trump's true intentions regarding the world's largest island. LIGA.net I reread it. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Politico, Bloomberg, BBC, Reuters, Euronews, CNBC and made three conclusions.Trump gave Greenland two months. How Trump's plans changedOver the weekend, Trump twice stated that he wanted to annex Greenland, citing the island's strategic location in the Arctic.We need Greenland from a national security perspective. Denmark can't provide that. You know what they recently did to strengthen their defense? They added dog sleds. It's true. They thought it was a great move. We'll take care of the island in about two months, Trump said.He added that the island is of great strategic importance, but is currently surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.The US president has repeatedly refused to rule out military or economic steps to seize Greenland. Last month, he appointed Republican Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland.This move was condemned by Denmark and Greenland. Landry publicly supported Trump's desire to bring the Danish island under US control.Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance in March In 2025, he did not rule out using the army to establish US control over Greenland, but said that there would be no need for this if the Greenlanders separated from Denmark and "made a deal" with the United States.On Saturday, when Maduro was arrested, Katie, a former US administration official and wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, posted an image of a map of Greenland in the colors of the US flag on X with the caption: "SOON."In response to the post, Danish Ambassador to the US Jesper Møller Sørensen made a "friendly reminder" that his country has "significantly strengthened its security efforts in the Arctic" and is cooperating with the United States on this issue.Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, tried to calm the situation:Let me say this calmly and clearly: there is no reason to panic or worry. Our country is not for sale, and our future will not be decided by social media posts.Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the US "has no right" to annex any part of the Danish state. She urged the US to "stop threatening a historically close ally, another country and people who have clearly stated that they are not for sale."Frederiksen added that the Danish kingdom, including Greenland, is part of NATO and therefore falls under the Alliance's collective security guarantees. She also pointed out that the US already has "broad access to Greenland."The United States has had a defense agreement with Greenland since 1951, and about 150 employees work at the Pituffik Space Base, which specializes in missile detection and space surveillance.Europeans are on the side of the DanesThe leaders of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland have condemned Trump's territorial claims to Greenland.President of Finland Alexander Stubb, who has friendly ties with Trump, said: "No one will decide the fate of the island except Greenland and Denmark."France has expressed solidarity with Denmark.Borders cannot be changed by force. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders and Danes. Only they can decide what to do with it, said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavre.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported Copenhagen in June 2025. According to him, the principle of inviolability of borders is enshrined in international law and is not subject to discussion.German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has now reiterated that Greenland belongs to Denmark.The security situation in the Arctic should be discussed within NATO, says Wadephul: "Trump is right to say that there is increased interest from China and Russia in the region. Germany is ready to discuss these matters with the US. But the territorial integrity of Greenland and Denmark is inviolable."Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said Copenhagen was in a "full-blown crisis" over Trump's remarks.In his opinion, a possible US intervention in Greenland is now the biggest risk to unity in NATO and the EU. It is significantly greater than the challenges created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Resources and shipping. Why Trump's speculation should be taken seriouslyAccording to Ian Lesser, a scholar at the German Marshall Fund in the United States, the U.S. already has a security foothold in Greenland, and Trump's intentions are more about resources.The island has vast mineral wealth, including rare earth elements that are critical to advanced technologies."Trump pays a lot of attention to mineral and energy resources, and commercial opportunities. Even if they are not easy to extract profitably," says Lesser.As global warming increases, more shipping routes will open up through the Arctic, making Greenland even more important.However, opinion polls show that Greenlanders are mostly against U.S. control over the island.Copenhagen has also improved its ties with the island in recent months, promising to increase healthcare spending and infrastructure investments. To defuse tensions with Trump, the Danes are investing in Arctic defense, including the purchase of 16 additional F-35 fighter jets.Denmark has controlled Greenland since the early 18th century. The island gained self-government in 1979. It has vast mineral wealth, including rare earth elements that are crucial for advanced technologies.The Prime Minister of Denmark is convinced that the US President's words regarding Greenland should be taken seriously: "If the United States attacks another NATO country, everything will stop."Read alsoTrump strikes Maduro: scenarios for Venezuela, conclusions for Ukraine

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