Greenland seeks direct talks with US amid Trump's annexation push

Tuesday 06 January 2026 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Greenland seeks direct talks with US amid Trump's annexation push

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen announced efforts to open direct channels with Washington, aiming to revive past cooperation with the United States while firmly opposing renewed calls from President Donald Trump to annex the Arctic territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Nuuk, Nielsen stressed the need for a straightforward line of communication. His comments followed a tense weekend sparked by Trump's phone interview with The Atlantic, where the president insisted the US "absolutely" requires Greenland due to its strategic location. Those remarks came after a US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3.

Nielsen drew a clear line between Greenland and Venezuela, dismissing fears of an imminent takeover. "We are not at the stage where we think a takeover of our country could happen overnight," he said. "Greenland cannot be compared to Venezuela; we are a democratic society."

In a Sunday Facebook statement, Nielsen issued a stark warning to Trump: "Enough now. No more pressure. No more hints. No more annexation fantasies." This came after Katie Miller, wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, posted an image of Greenland overlaid with the American flag captioned "SOON."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Monday that a US takeover of Greenland would spell the end of NATO. "If the United States chooses to launch a military attack against another NATO nation, then everything stops," she told Danish broadcaster TV2. Frederiksen added that Trump "should be taken seriously" regarding his interest in the territory.

Trump has repeatedly cited national security concerns to justify US control over Greenland, portraying the island as "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships." In December, he appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, a move that infuriated Copenhagen.

The semi-autonomous Danish territory hosts Pituffik Space Base, the US military's northernmost facility, which supports missile warning and space surveillance missions. Greenland also holds vast reserves of critical minerals, including rare earth elements vital for renewable energy technologies.

Nielsen emphasized that discussions with the US should avoid media and social channels. "This must stop the communication through media and various indirect routes. It is not respectful," he stated.