'Let's work together on Arctic security', says Danish FM after VP Vance visit to Greenland

Record ID: 1986434

  • Title: 'Let's work together on Arctic security', says Danish FM after VP Vance visit to Greenland
  • Date: 29th March 2025
  • Summary: A series of powerful explosions shook Beirut on September 27 and thick clouds of smoke rose over the city, Reuters witnesses said, in what Lebanese media said were a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of the city. BEIRUT, LEBANON (FILE - SEPTEMBER 27, 2024) (REUTERS) BEIRUT SKYLINE, AUDIO OF MULTIPLE BLASTS, CLOUD OF SMOKE RISING SOUT
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Donald Trump Greenland JD Vance Lars Lokke Rasmussen Pituffik military base military spending
  • Location: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK AND NUUK, PITUFFIK AND AT SEA, GREENLAND
  • City: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK AND NUUK, PITUFFIK AND AT SEA, GREENLAND
  • Country: Denmark
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00A263429032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Friday (March 28) he hoped the United States and Denmark could work together on Arctic security after U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused Denmark of not doing a good job keeping Greenland safe.
    In recorded remarks, Rasmussen said that while he did not appreciate the tone in the “accusations” made he said there were lots of ways for the U.S. to have a stronger presence in Greenland under the terms of a defence agreement from 1951.
    “It offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland. If that is what you wish, then let us discuss it,” he said.
    Rasmussen said the Americans had also not done enough. He said that the U.S. today has a base with 200 soldiers, while during the Cold War the Americans had 17 military installations in Greenland with 10,000 soldiers.
    Vance, his wife Usha, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright accompanied him on the trip. He visited the U.S. military base at Pituffik which is located along the shortest route from Europe to North America and is vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
    Vance also pledged respect for Greenland's sovereignty but also suggested the territory would come to see the benefit of partnering with the U.S..
    His remarks came just hours after a new broad government coalition that aims to keep ties with Denmark for now was presented in the capital, Nuuk.
    “I am pleased that the Vice President today emphasised the right of the Greenlandic people to determine their own future. This is important,” Rasmussen said.
    (Production: Tom Little, Ilze Filks)
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