NATO Faces Fresh Rift As Denmark Vows To Defend Greenland After Trump Renews Bid For US Control

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ANKARA (Worthy News) – The NATO military alliance, long seen as a symbol of unity among Western allies, faced growing internal strife Wednesday as Denmark vowed to defend its territory after U.S. President Donald J. Trump again insisted that the United States should control the strategically located Arctic territory of Greenland.

His remarks overshadowed a NATO summit in Turkey meant to demonstrate allied unity in the face of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and other growing security challenges.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country was “ready to defend every inch of NATO, including our own territory” in the event of an attack and would rely on allies to honor their mutual defense commitments.

“We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination,” Frederiksen said ahead of the meeting of NATO leaders.

Her remarks came after Trump said he was “not happy with NATO” over resistance from fellow allies to his repeated calls for U.S. control of Greenland, adding that the territory “is very important for the U.S., but it’s not important for Denmark.”

GREENLAND DISPUTE DEEPENS

Greenland’s government has repeatedly rejected suggestions that the autonomous Danish territory is for sale, while Copenhagen has insisted the island remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security because of its strategic Arctic location, expanding shipping routes, and abundant reserves of critical minerals, while Denmark has maintained that the island’s future can only be decided by the Greenlandic people.

The dispute has raised fresh questions about the future of the 32-member NATO alliance, founded in 1949 to provide collective defense against external threats.

Analysts say public disagreements over the sovereignty of a fellow NATO member’s territory risk further straining alliance cohesion at a time when the alliance is seeking to deter Russia, increase defense spending, and strengthen security in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.

SUMMIT CONTINUES

Despite the sharp exchanges, NATO leaders continued discussions on boosting defense spending, strengthening military readiness, and maintaining long-term support for Ukraine, while Secretary General Mark Rutte urged allies to remain united in confronting growing global threats.

The summit also comes as NATO members seek to present a united front against Russia more than four years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while addressing new security challenges ranging from the Arctic to the Middle East.

Leaders sought to prevent the Greenland dispute from overshadowing broader efforts to reinforce NATO’s collective defense posture and maintain allied unity amid mounting geopolitical tensions.

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