Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, visited Greenland on Friday as a show of support for the Arctic island, which U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to annex.
Upon landing at Nuuk airport, Greenland’s capital, Frederiksen was welcomed by her counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The two leaders were seen embracing on the runway before departing in vehicles, according to Reuters.
Frederiksen flew directly to Nuuk from Brussels, after earlier meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss how the military alliance could strengthen security in the Arctic region.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Both governments say the island is not for sale and that its sovereignty is not up for discussion, though they remain open to talks on other issues such as security and economic development.
“We are preparing the next steps,” Frederiksen told reporters as she walked alongside Nielsen in central Nuuk. “I am here first and foremost to show our strong support for the people of Greenland in this difficult time,” she added.
On Thursday, Trump said the United States had secured full and permanent access to Greenland following talks with Rutte, who stated that allies must increase efforts to counter risks from Russia and China.
The U.S. military already has broad access to Greenland under existing treaties, although Washington has reduced its presence there since the Cold War, maintaining only a small base.
The future of the island has triggered a transatlantic crisis, after Trump called for Greenland to become part of the United States, refused to rule out the use of military force, and announced new tariffs against European countries opposing the White House’s ambitions.
