NATO Ally Denmark Warns US Towards Taking Greenland by Pressure

[ad_1] Denmark's prime minister warned Monday that any U.S. transfer to take Greenland by power would destroy 80 years of transatlantic safety hyperlinks, after President Donald Trump repeated his need to annex the mineral-rich Arctic territory.

Washington's navy intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears about Trump's designs on the autonomous Danish territory, which has untapped uncommon earth deposits and could possibly be a significant participant as polar ice melts, opening up new delivery routes.

"We want Greenland from the standpoint of nationwide safety, and Denmark will not be going to have the ability to do it," the U.S. chief stated Sunday.

In response, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen advised Trump to again off, whereas a number of European nations and the European Union rushed to again Denmark, which has urged Washington to cease threatening a NATO ally.

In Copenhagen, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen advised the TV2 community: "If the USA decides to navy assault one other NATO nation, then every thing would cease -- that features NATO and due to this fact post-World Conflict II safety."

Greenland is on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the USA, and Washington has a navy base there.

"We'll fear about Greenland in about two months," Trump stated. "Let's speak about Greenland in 20 days."

Nielsen advised Trump on social media: "That is sufficient now. No extra strain. No extra insinuations. No extra fantasies of annexation."

"We're open to dialogue," he stated. "However this should occur by way of the right channels and with respect for worldwide regulation."

On Monday, he referred to as for renewed contact with the U.S. and urged towards panic.

"The state of affairs will not be such that the USA can conquer Greenland. That's not the case. Subsequently, we should not panic. We should restore the great cooperation we as soon as had," Nielsen stated in Nuuk, including "we should attempt to re-establish contact".

-'China menace' -

Trump rattled European leaders by seizing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who's now detained in New York.

Trump has stated the USA will "run" Venezuela indefinitely and faucet its big oil reserves.

The U.S. chief has equally ramped up strain on Greenland over current months, saying in December that Russian and Chinese language ships had been "throughout" the territory's coast.

The international ministry in Beijing hit again on Monday, urging Washington to "cease utilizing the so-called China menace as an excuse to hunt private achieve".

Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland within the Danish parliament, accused Trump of "spreading lies about Chinese language and Russian warships".

"The folks of Greenland ought to go into preparation mode," she advised AFP, including that Greenlanders wanted to start out taking Trump way more critically.

On the streets of Copenhagen, folks expressed bewilderment at Trump's threats.

"I believe it is a little bit loopy that he can say these issues," stated Frederik Olsen, 56.

"He has all of the entry he desires for the troops," stated Christian Harpsoe, 46. "I see no want. You can not evaluate this to Venezuela."

-'Disrespectful' -

The controversy drew statements of assist from round Europe. EU international coverage spokesperson Anitta Hipper advised reporters the bloc was dedicated to defending the territorial integrity of its members.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated "solely Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark" may resolve the territory's future -- sentiments mirrored in statements from the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Norway.

France's international ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux advised native TV that "borders can't be modified by power" and added that his nation felt "solidarity" with Denmark.

The flare-up got here after former Trump aide Katie Miller posted a web based picture Saturday of Greenland within the colours of the U.S. flag with the caption "SOON".

Nielsen labeled the submit "disrespectful". Frederiksen on Sunday referred to as on Washington to cease "threatening its historic ally" and stated U.S. claims on Greenland had been "absurd".

Miller is the spouse of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, who's broadly seen because the architect of many Trump insurance policies, guiding the president's hard-line immigration choices and components of his home agenda.

In response to Miller's submit, Denmark's ambassador to Washington, Jesper Moeller Soerensen, stated his nation was already working with Washington to spice up safety within the Arctic.