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Greenland says it should be defended by NATO, rejects any US takeover

12 January 2026 20:17 (UTC +04:00)

Greenland's government said on Monday it will increase efforts to ensure the defence of the Arctic territory takes place under the auspices of NATO, and again rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's ambition to take over the island, APA reports citing Reuters.

Trump has said the United States must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, to prevent Russia or China occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich territory in the future.

"All NATO member states, including the United States, have a common interest in the defence of Greenland," the island's coalition government said in a statement, adding that it can in no way accept a U.S. takeover of Greenland.

"As part of the Danish commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO and the defence of Greenland must therefore be through NATO," the government said.