JD Vance Criticizes Europe’s Approach to Greenland as Locals Push Back Against US and Danish Control Following Trump’s Threats

US Vice President JD Vance has launched a sharp critique of Europe's management of "critical" Greenland, as local residents reject the authority of both Denmark and the United States.

Vance stated in an interview with Fox News that Europe and Denmark have "not performed adequately" in securing the region, asserting that they have underfunded defenses and neglected to collaborate with Trump on the issue.

The Vice President further remarked that the Arctic territory is crucial for the defense of both the United States and the world against potential missile strikes from China or Russia.

He stated: “People do not realize that the entire missile defense infrastructure partially relies on Greenland.

“If, God forbid, the Russians and the Chinese – I'm not suggesting they will – but if someone were to launch a nuclear missile at our continent or at Europe, Greenland plays a critical role in that missile defense.

“So you have to ask yourself, ‘Have the Europeans, have the Danes done a sufficient job of securing Greenland and ensuring it can continue to serve as a cornerstone for global security and missile defense?’ The answer is clearly no.”

US officials are currently "actively" discussing a potential proposal to purchase Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of Denmark, as confirmed by the White House on Wednesday.

This announcement followed closely after discussions about annexing the territory.

Both Greenland and Denmark have consistently insisted that the island is not for sale, and any invasion would signal the end of diplomatic relations.

Vance’s comments come after a remarkable week in which military intervention was threatened across the Western Hemisphere.

Many residents of Greenland are now anxious about the future, yet the territory's main opposition party, Naleraq, has characterized the situation as a "window of opportunity."

Juno Berthelsen, an MP and foreign policy spokesman for Naleraq, dismissed Trump's threats of military force as “unrealistic.” However, he acknowledged that America's renewed interest in securing the resource-rich territory could lead to “concrete steps to improve the lives of Greenlandic people.”

He expressed: “We do not wish to be Americans, nor do we desire to be Danish. We want to be Greenlanders.”

The US currently has over 100 military personnel stationed permanently at its Pituffik base in the northwestern part of Greenland.

This facility has been under US operation since World War II.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US is permitted to deploy as many troops as necessary to Greenland.

Experts have indicated that it would be alarmingly easy for the US to seize control of this strategically significant Arctic island.

An anonymous Danish politician admitted to Politico that the mineral-rich island lacks the means for self-defense, stating: “It might only take five helicopters … he wouldn’t require many troops.

“There would be nothing they [Greenlanders] could do.”

Denmark has warned it will “counter” if the US were to invade.

This unwavering commitment is part of Copenhagen’s military constitution, which mandates that soldiers must “immediately” engage in defense during an attack.

Denmark clarified that it would respond to any invasion in line with its military doctrine.

A law established in 1952 stipulates that troops must defend against attackers without waiting for orders, with Copenhagen reiterating on Wednesday that this law “remains in effect.”

The commitment is understood to state: “The forces under attack must immediately engage in combat without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanding officers are unaware of a declaration of war or state of war.”

• Categories:
• News ,
• World News