US vice president JD Vance and his wife are visiting the US Space Force outpost in Greenland. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeated his desire for US control of Greenland. Follow the latest here.
Friday 28 March 2025 22:03, UK
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JD Vance and Donald Trump “to some extent” have a point that Denmark could have done more to keep Greenland safe but the country has now “upped the game”, the deputy speaker of the Danish parliament has told Sky News.
Lars-Christian Brask told Sky’s Gillian Joseph that Vance was “not welcome” by the Greenlanders today.
“It’s a NATO country demanding a piece of another NATO country, which is highly unusual and there is a lack of respect,” he said.
On Vance’s claims that Denmark had not kept Greenland safe, Brask said: “Vance and Trump can to some extent have a point that we could have done more.
“We’ve now accelerated it and our government has really upped the game.
“We’ve rectified that now with the proposals that have been put through parliament.”
He also said it would be “highly unlikely” the US could just take over Greenland.
Donald Trump has shared a video on his social media channels reiterating his bid to take over Greenland.
The video begins by speaking of a “bond” that was formed between the US and Greenland during the Second World War.
With threats now emerging from Russia and China, the narrator in the video says: “Now is the time to stand together again for peace, for security and for the future.
“American stands with Greenland.”
You can watch the video here…
Yesterday, Vladimir Putin said geopolitical rivalries were intensifying in the Arctic.
Alluding to Donald Trump’s stated intention to acquire Greenland, Putin said this had nothing to do with Russia but that it was clear that the US would continue to promote its interests in the Arctic.
“It is obvious that the role and importance of the Arctic both for Russia and for the whole world is growing. But unfortunately, geopolitical competition, the struggle for positions in this region, is also intensifying,” he said.
Putin, who is keen to ramp up commerce via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) through Arctic waters as Russia shifts trade towards Asia and away from Europe because of Western sanctions, said Russia had never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but was prepared to defend its interests.
You can watch his speech here…
The US is stepping up its narrative when it comes to Greenland, our US correspondent James Matthews says.
The vice president going to Greenland was “somewhat of a surprise” to begin with, he says.
Despite Vance’s comments about Greenlanders wanting to become independent of Denmark, Matthews says: “I would point out Greenlanders absolutely do not want to get into bed with the US.
“They have made that perfectly clear.”
He says the speech was “significant” and we learnt that military force is not off the table.
“The narrative is clearly being stepped and there is steady pressure on Greenland, which presumably will increase,” he adds.
In remarks this week, Donald Trump said America “needs” Greenland for “international security”.
“We have to have Greenland,” he said.
He also said this was about “world peace”.
You can watch his comments here…
After taking to the podium, JD Vance made a number of statements, including the claim that Greenland was less secure now than it was a few decades ago and the Arctic island would be better off under the security of the US than under Denmark’s leadership.
Here are the key takeaways from his speech…
Criticism of Denmark
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, but Vance indicated the White House believes the Scandinavian country has “underinvested” in the region.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” he said.
JD Vance said the region was less secure now and that US policy would change this.
Refusal to rule out military force in Greenland
The vice president sought to play down the potential for taking Greenland by military force but declined to rule it out.
Asked if plans had been drafted to use military force, he indicated the White House planned to wait for the people of the territory to vote for self-determination before acting.
Vance thinks Greenland will become independent of Denmark – and then US will take action
On taking any action in Greenland, JD Vance said the US will wait for Greenlanders to become independent of Denmark.
“What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there,” he said.
“So, I think that talking about anything too far in the future is way too premature. We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary.”
US wants to lead in the Arctic – and says it’s about security
The vice president said the US base in Greenland matters as this would be place where America would be notified if a missile was fired from an enemy country.
He said Russia and China were taking an interest in Arctic passages and he had to ensure that “America is leading in the Arctic”.
To note here, Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly cited US security concerns as the driving force behind the effort to take control of Greenland, analysts have suggested their real motivation is the territory’s vast mineral wealth.
Vance is then asked about Donald Trump’s suggestion that the US could use military force to take control of Greenland if necessary.
He ostensibly seeks to play down the potential for such a development – but, notably, declines to rule it out.
“The president has said clearly he doesn’t think that military force is going to be necessary, but he absolutely believes that Greenland is an important part of the security, not just of the United States, but of the world and, of course, the people of Greenland, too,” he says.
Asked if plans have been drafted to use military force to take over Greenland, he indicates the White House planned to wait for the people of the territory to vote for self-determination before acting.
“Well, what the president has said, like, is that we need to have more of a position in Greenland,” he says.
“We need it, again, for the safety of the American people and what we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we’re going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there.
“So, I think that talking about anything too far in the future is way too premature. We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary.
“We think this makes sense. And because we think the people of Greenland are rational and good, we think we’re going to be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump style, to ensure the security of this territory, but also the United States of America.”
In January, when asked whether he would rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, which he has also expressed a desire to claim for the US, Trump said: “I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country. We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
For context: Greenland’s centre right opposition party won the most votes in the territory’s elections this month, in a development that was be seen as a rejection of Trump’s interference in the island’s politics.
The Demokraatit party – which favours a slow move towards independence from Denmark – won 30% of the vote.
The vice president is now asked about the Signal security breach, which has been dominating the headlines this week.
He says “it is in the interest of the US to kill terrorists who prevent navigation in the Red Sea”.
“But we have to make sure we do it right,” he says.
“What that link revealed is private communication between the president’s advisers about how best to prepare the American people and about the right timing.
“What I saw in that chat is that sometimes we all agree and sometimes we disagree but we all have to have an honest conversation amongst ourselves and the president.
“I support the president’s decision to strike the Houthis.”
He also reiterates that he and Trump are “standing behind our entire national security team”.
Asked if there are plans for the US to expand its military presence in Greenland, JD Vance says there are no immediate plans.
But there are general objectives that will require the US to invest in more resources in Greenland.
“That’s necessary because there has been an expansion of the security footprint of Russia and China,” he says.
“They are doing what is in their interest. The US must do what is in our interest which is make sure Greenland is safe.”
He says the “US cannot bury its head in the sand and pretend the Chinese are not interested in this very large land mass”.
“We know they are,” he adds.
He says there is Russian and Chinese “encroachment in Greenland”.
He goes on to launch into a criticism of Denmark and says the “surrounding area is less safe than it was around 40 years ago because allies have not kept up”.
“Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland,” he says.
“You’ve underinvested in the people of Greenland and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.
“That has to change. And because it hasn’t changed, this is why President Trump’s policy in Greenland is what it is.”
The vice president says the US argument is “very simple”.
“Our argument is not with the people of Greenland who I think are incredible. Our argument is with the leadership of Denmark who have underestimated in Greenland,” he adds.
It should be noted, Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
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