Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared on Wednesday that Denmark is prepared to defend “every centimetre” of Greenland, including through NATO’s Article 5, after President Donald Trump renewed his assertion that the United States should control the Arctic island. Speaking at the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Frederiksen stated that Greenland is “not for sale” and called on all allies to respect Danish sovereignty and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. The exchange marked the latest escalation in a dispute that has injected territorial tension into the gathering.

Trump, in remarks alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and later with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, argued that Greenland is strategically indispensable for the US and that Denmark has failed to invest adequately in the territory’s defence. He claimed the island is “surrounded by China ships and Russian ships” and that its control by Washington is necessary “for protection of the world, not just the United States.” Trump also linked the disagreement to his broader criticism of NATO, suggesting that the US could withdraw its forces from Europe if allies do not meet his demands. According to US officials, the administration views Greenland’s location and mineral resources as critical to countering Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic.

NATO Secretary-General Rutte acknowledged that Trump “absolutely has a point” regarding increased Russian and Chinese activity in the High North, but stressed that the alliance already has a process in place with Denmark and Greenland to address security concerns. He referenced a framework agreement reached with Trump in Davos in January, though its details remain undisclosed. Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir voiced solidarity with Denmark, stating that Greenlanders “do not wish to be a part of the United States” and urging NATO to maintain unity against external threats. European diplomats in Ankara, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the US stance as a challenge to the alliance’s principle of territorial integrity.

Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, hosts a US military base under a 1951 defence pact and sits astride emerging Arctic shipping lanes. Its vast deposits of rare earth minerals have drawn interest from multiple powers. Trump first proposed purchasing the island in 2019 and revived the idea after returning to office, at times refusing to rule out military or economic coercion. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have consistently rejected any transfer of sovereignty, and opinion polls in Greenland show overwhelming opposition to joining the United States. The latest exchange occurred as NATO leaders sought to project unity on defence spending and support for Ukraine, but the Greenland dispute underscored internal frictions.

No formal negotiations on the status of Greenland are underway. The Davos framework agreement, according to NATO officials, is limited to enhanced military coordination and does not address sovereignty. The Danish government has indicated it will continue to insist on respect for international law and the wishes of Greenland’s population. The next scheduled meeting of the Arctic Council, where the issue may be raised indirectly, is expected later this year.