Trump claims NATO warned Denmark of Russian threat to Greenland

Monday 19 January 2026 - 12:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump claims NATO warned Denmark of Russian threat to Greenland

President Donald Trump escalated his push to acquire Greenland on Sunday, asserting that NATO has been alerting Denmark for two decades about a Russian security threat near the Arctic territory. He framed this as a key rationale for U.S. control, though the claim drew sharp rebuttals from Danish military leaders and the Kremlin. Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote that NATO has urged Denmark to counter the Russian menace but that Copenhagen has failed to act, declaring it is now time for decisive U.S. intervention.

Danish Joint Arctic Command chief Major General Søren Andersen directly refuted Trump's statement, telling Axel Springer Global Reporters there is no current perceived threat from Russia or China, though Denmark prepares for any potential risks through training exercises. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke by phone with Trump about the Greenland situation, posting on X that they would continue discussions and looked forward to meeting at Davos this week. Rutte faced criticism for sidestepping direct questions on Trump's territorial demands and their impact on alliance unity.

Russia denied any aggressive intentions toward Greenland. Ambassador Vladimir Barbin told TASS that Moscow poses no military threat, engages in no blackmail, and seeks no territorial grabs, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov called the scenario extraordinary under international law.

Trump's remarks came a day after he announced 10 percent tariffs on eight European nations; Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, effective February 1, rising to 25 percent by June unless they agree to a full U.S. purchase of Greenland. Thousands protested in Denmark and Greenland on Saturday in what organizers called the island's largest demonstrations ever, waving Greenlandic flags with signs reading "Greenland is not for sale" and "No means no." Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made a surprise appearance in Nuuk, raising the flag and leading a march through the capital.

European leaders issued a joint statement warning that the tariffs would jeopardize transatlantic ties and risk a dangerous downward spiral. French President Emmanuel Macron deemed Trump's tariff threats unacceptable, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told him directly that penalizing NATO allies for upholding collective security was wholly misguided.

High-level talks last week in Washington involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Danish and Greenlandic counterparts ended without progress. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen noted a fundamental disagreement, observing Trump's clear intent to seize Greenland. Denmark and European officials emphasized that Greenland already falls under NATO's collective defense pact, with the U.S. operating Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 treaty allowing military expansions. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any U.S. aggression against Greenland would end NATO.