Greenland, like the Faroe Islands, is part of the Danish Kingdom, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed at a press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys in Vilnius.
“And since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland will in principle also have to be defended by NATO,” Wadephul added.
“If there are further requirements to strengthen defence efforts with regard to Greenland, then we will have to discuss this together within the framework of the alliance,” said Wadephul.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US should take control of Greenland, a largely autonomous Danish territory situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, for the sake of national security, a claim he repeated again at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he claimed that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
“Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you.”
Denmark has strongly rejected the claims, alongside Nordic neighbours Sweden, Finland and Norway, as the recent US intervention in Venezuela has sparked concerns regarding the Trump administration’s next moves.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budrys also expressed his country’s full solidarity with Copenhagen, describing Denmark as an important and valued ally.
All questions concerning Greenland should only be discussed within the framework of international law and in the spirit of the allies – “very clearly, very distinctly and without any ulterior motives,” he said.
