The Defence Ministry’s clarification to the Danish outlet Berlingske underscores a standing 1952 regulation that mandates military personnel to repel foreign invasions without awaiting explicit orders from the central command. Under these rules of engagement, Danish forces are required to act decisively even if a formal declaration of war has not been recognized, effectively removing bureaucratic hurdles in the face of a sudden incursion. This rhetorical pivot to high-alert status reflects growing anxieties in Northern Europe following recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, which have led observers to fear that the White House may be willing to bypass traditional diplomacy in favor of territorial expansion.
The White House has done little to ease these concerns. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently reaffirmed President Trump’s long-standing ambition to bring Greenland under U.S. control, describing the move as vital for deterring adversaries in the Arctic. While some officials, including Senator Marco Rubio, have attempted to characterize the interest as a purely commercial pursuit and downplayed the likelihood of a military strike, Leavitt’s confirmation that "utilizing the U.S. military is always an option" has cast a shadow over transatlantic relations. The strategic value of Greenland—rich in rare earth minerals and critical for Arctic surveillance—has turned the autonomous territory into a geopolitical flashpoint.
Amid the mounting friction, high-level diplomatic channels remain open, though the gulf between the two sides appears vast. Denmark’s Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen and Greenland’s U.S. representative, Jacob Isbosethsen, met with National Security Council officials on Thursday to reiterate that Greenland is not for sale. While the Trump administration views the island through the lens of 21st-century strategic competition, Copenhagen and Nuuk view the proposal as an affront to international law and sovereign rights. This standoff represents a historic stress test for the Western alliance, as Denmark’s readiness to engage in a kinetic defense highlights a desperate effort to preserve the global norms of sovereignty against a backdrop of aggressive regional realignment.
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