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Greenland’s Political Leaders Unite Against U.S. Annexation Remarks
In a rare show of solidarity, Greenland’s major political parties have jointly condemned remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding annexation of the island. Leaders from all parties represented in the Inatsisartut, Greenland’s parliament, publicly expressed their disapproval, stating that they “cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland.”
This collective response follows a recent meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during which the U.S. president appeared to reinforce his controversial stance on Greenland’s territory. Outgoing Prime Minister Mute B Egede, who faced election defeat just days prior, spearheaded the joint statement.
Egede took to Facebook to assert, “Our country will never be the USA and we Greenlanders will never be Americans. Don’t keep treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough.” This statement highlights Greenland’s desire for autonomy and respect from foreign powers, particularly in light of its long-standing relationship with Denmark, which has maintained control over the island for approximately 300 years.
Greenland, the world’s largest island situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, exercises self-governance in domestic matters, while foreign affairs and defense policies remain under Danish authority. The U.S. has maintained a military base on the island since World War II, reflecting longstanding strategic interests, which have been amplified by the potential for accessing rare earth minerals.
Trump’s remarks to Rutte, which implied that NATO support might be necessary to assert control over Greenland, have further incited concern among Greenland’s political figures. “You know, Mark, we need that for international security… we have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful,” he remarked, leading to extensive criticism for the implications of such statements.
When pressed on the possibility of annexation, Trump expressed confidence, stating, “I think that will happen.” His comments have not only shocked Greenlandic leaders but also sparked significant debate across both Denmark and Greenland. Rutte has faced backlash for opting not to confront Trump during their exchange, instead choosing to sidestep the issue. He noted, “I do not want to drag NATO into that,” before redirecting the conversation to affirming the importance of maintaining security in the Arctic.
The joint statement released by Greenland’s political factions underscored their unified stance against any attempts to undermine their sovereignty. “Greenland continues the work for Greenland,” they asserted. “We all stand behind this effort and strongly distance ourselves from attempts to create discord.”
This collective declaration comes shortly after the center-right opposition, led by the Democratic Party, achieved an unexpected victory in the elections. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the newly appointed leader, is currently in talks with other political groups to form a coalition government, which may further solidify Greenland’s stance on its autonomy in the face of external pressures.
Source
www.bbc.com