US, Denmark and Greenland Sign Updated Defence Agreement, Frederiksen Warns Against Allied Division

US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a new defence agreement updating the 1951 pact between the two countries. The agreement expands security cooperation in the strategically significant Arctic region.

Agreement to strengthen security and deterrence, says Frederiksen

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the agreement as a major milestone in Denmark's long-standing cooperation with the United States. She said that 75 years ago, the two countries had signed an agreement on Greenland's security, and that they were now signing an even bigger and better agreement — one that would last permanently.

Frederiksen said the agreement would strengthen security and deterrence capabilities while preventing rival powers from gaining a foothold in Greenland. She said the countries were ensuring that no outside power would be allowed to exert control or major influence over Greenland, while also ensuring that Denmark and its allies maintained a simultaneous presence in the Arctic.

Greenland's right to self-determination also respected, she said

Frederiksen said the agreement recognised America's historic and ongoing contribution to the security of Greenland and the North Atlantic treaty area. She said it also respected the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland's right to self-determination. She described the agreement as part of a broader effort to strengthen NATO at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

"If we are divided, our enemies benefit," Danish PM says

The Danish prime minister said that if allied nations became divided, they would be helping their adversaries, and that Denmark would do everything possible to prevent this from happening.

Greenland played a key security role, says Nielsen

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland had played an important security role during the Second World War and the Cold War, and had continued to assist with the United States' homeland security. He also emphasised Greenland's commitment to NATO and the Western alliance amid growing competition over Arctic security.

Nielsen said the agreement should leave no doubt, now or in future, about where Greenland's loyalties lie. He said Greenland had been and would remain a steadfast friend of the United States, while continuing to be part of the Western alliance. He described the agreement as beneficial for all three parties, built on shared responsibility, mutual respect and the goal of maintaining peace in the Arctic.

Ties between US, Denmark and Greenland will be strengthened: Trump

Trump described the agreement as the result of prolonged efforts and said it would strengthen ties between the United States, Denmark and Greenland. Speaking at the signing event attended by representatives of all three countries, he said their relationship would be excellent and secure, and that they were looking forward to it.

He said work on the agreement had been under way for a long time, and that while some people had genuinely wanted this agreement in the past, it had never come together — but it was now being completed. Trump said the agreement would be very good for Europe, America and everyone, and that it would prove to be "wonderful" for Greenland.

Trump did not directly answer one question

Trump did not give a direct answer when a journalist asked whether talk of US ownership of Greenland was now over. Asked what message he had for the people of Greenland, Trump said he liked the people of Greenland very much, adding that their prime minister represented them very well.

The 1951 defence agreement between Washington and Copenhagen had laid the basis for the US military presence in Greenland. It was amended through a 2004 agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland.