Denmark sends private messages to Trump team on Greenland – Axios

Denmark has recently sent private messages to the team of US President-elect Donald Trump, expressing its readiness to discuss strengthening security in Greenland or increasing the US military presence on the island.

Source: Axios sources familiar with the matter, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Trump has repeatedly stated that securing control of Greenland, the world's largest island, is critical to US national security in the face of threats from Russia and China. His son made a visit to the island this week.

However, the Danish government hopes to persuade Trump, especially through messages sent to his advisers this week, that his security concerns can be addressed without claiming Greenland for the United States.

Reports state that the Danish government wants to avoid a public clash with the future US administration and has urged Trump team members to clarify what the president-elect meant by his comments earlier this week.

The sources said that in the messages passed on to the Trump team, the Danish government made it clear that Greenland is not for sale but expressed its willingness to discuss any other US request for the island.

The United States already has a military base in Greenland and a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, which could easily involve an increase in US soldier presence on the island.

Danish officials have already announced that they are exploring additional measures to strengthen investment in military facilities and capabilities in Greenland, in consultation with the Greenlandic government.  

Background: 

• Trump has previously refused to rule out using military or economic force to gain control of Greenland, calling it a matter of US national security.
• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasised that Greenland belongs to its residents and dismissed the notion of the US seizing the island by force.
• Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede said that the island does not want to be American or Danish but wants to be independent.

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