Rutte's remarks about Europe's dependence on Washington coincide with difficult negotiations to strengthen the presence in Greenland via the "Polar Sentinel"“
Talk of the Greenland issue does not appear to be set to subside anytime soon. Geopolitical and security considerations continue to intertwine with social and cultural dimensions, while international pressure and diplomatic moves are also increasing, making the island's future a focus of escalating global debate amid a clear power struggle in the Arctic.
According to TV2, the Greenland issue has entered a new phase of political and diplomatic escalation, with intensified international activity and numerous statements coming from Western capitals and parties within NATO, at a time when concern is growing within Greenland itself, both politically and socially.
Rutte emphasizes Europe's dependence on the United States
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, adding that anyone who thinks otherwise is "continuing to dream".
He explained that the Greenland file is proceeding along two tracks, one of which relates to strengthening defense in the Arctic and preventing China and Russia from expanding, and the other concerns the joint working group between Denmark, Greenland and the United States, stressing that NATO is not involved in the second track.
The remarks of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have provoked mixed reactions in European circles. European politicians and analysts criticized what they considered a belittling of Europe’s defense capabilities and a reinforcement of its permanent dependence on the United States. France stressed that Europe is capable in the future of assuming responsibility for its security if it strengthens its cooperation and military capabilities. Meanwhile, some within NATO saw Rutte’s words as reflecting the current reality of widespread European dependence on American capabilities, particularly in the areas of deterrence and air defense.
The German Defense Minister speaks about the Arctic Guardian mission.
According to Reuters, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that negotiations within NATO regarding a permanent mission in Greenland are progressing positively.
He explained that the initiative, known as “Polar Sentinel,” is inspired by the Baltic Sentinel model and aims to enhance monitoring of vital underwater infrastructure, but noted that negotiations have not yet been finalized.
Denmark and Greenland enjoy broad European support
In a broad European show of support for Denmark and Greenland, Member of Parliament Mogens Jensen, head of the Danish delegation to the Council of Europe, announced that more than 30 European countries had endorsed a joint declaration supporting Denmark and Greenland.
In a press statement carried by the Ritzau news agency, Jensen said the declaration affirms that Greenland belongs to its people and that any decisions concerning Greenland or the Kingdom of Denmark can only be made by the parties directly involved. He added that the broad support from European countries reflects clear solidarity at a sensitive political juncture.
Danish-German meeting confirms European unity
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also met with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.
Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark and Greenland are deeply grateful to Germany for its support in the current situation, stressing that the past weeks have shown the strength of Europe when it stands united.
Norway is strengthening NATO's capabilities in the Arctic.
Reuters reported that the Norwegian parliament, Storting, approved a $2 billion deal, equivalent to about 12.6 billion Norwegian kroner, to purchase long-range weapons aimed at strengthening NATO's ability to deter Russia in the Arctic.
Peter Frølich, a spokesman for the Hoyer Conservative Party, said these weapons are capable of reaching beyond enemy lines, which he described as a crucial element in modern warfare.
Danish criticism of controversial US statements at the United Nations
On another front, this time in the corridors of the United Nations, European Parliament member Henrik Dahl launched a sharp attack on the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, after statements he made to Fox News in which he claimed that a cancer diagnosis in Greenland is almost a death sentence.
Dahl wrote on the X platform that the standard of honesty presupposes feeling ashamed when lying, considering Waltz's statements to be an unacceptable insult, despite his praise in the same interview for the Danish role in some areas.
China denies there is a threat in the Arctic
China continues to reject its use as a pretext in the Greenland dispute, with the Chinese embassy in Copenhagen reiterating in a written response sent to TV2 that the so-called Chinese threat in the Arctic is baseless.
The response came after an interview with Ambassador Wang Xuefeng was not possible. The embassy stressed that China calls for international relations to be conducted in accordance with the UN Charter and rejects the use of China as a pretext to achieve the interests of other parties.
US congressional visit to Nuuk amid logistical complications
On the political front, critics of Donald Trump, Danish parliamentarian Aaja Chemnitz from Greenland reported that US Senator Lisa Murkowski will arrive in the capital Nuuk on February 6, after postponing a visit that was scheduled to take place earlier in the week.
Chemintz explained in statements to DR that the postponement was due to bad weather, winds and technical problems that prevented the implementation of the original plan, after she had previously announced to TV2 that the visit would take place on Friday.
She added that Senator Angus King, an independent senator and former Democrat, will also participate in the visit, which aims to meet with influential figures in Greenland in preparation for upcoming negotiations on a future agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the United States.
