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Denmark Rules Out Greenland Sovereignty Transfer, Signals Openness to Updating 1951 Defense Pact

Germany vows stronger Arctic security support following talks in Berlin.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told The New York Times that transferring sovereignty over Greenland is a red line, while Denmark is prepared to discuss revisions to the 1951 U.S.–Denmark defense agreement.
  • Frederiksen said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lacks authority to negotiate for Denmark on Greenland, noting that deliberations have moved into conventional diplomatic channels.
  • She said Denmark sees potential value in a permanent NATO presence in the Arctic as part of a new security framework.
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged increased commitments to High North security after meeting the Danish and Greenlandic prime ministers in Berlin.
  • President Donald Trump said outlines of a Greenland deal emerged in recent talks, and Axios reported a draft concept that would keep Danish sovereignty and update the 1951 pact to allow U.S. basing, which would still require Danish and Greenlandic consultation under existing treaty terms.