US negotiates with Denmark on opening new military bases in Greenland
The US is holding active, closed-door negotiations with Denmark and representatives of Greenland regarding the possibility of expanding the American military presence on the island. According to several sources, the negotiations have been progressing in recent months, although they are taking place without wide publicity, writes the BBC.
Danish military personnel in Greenland. Illustrative photo. Photo: Juliette Pavy/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The American side wants to open three new military bases in southern Greenland. Their main task is to monitor the military and naval activity of Russia and China in the North Atlantic, especially in the strategically important region between Greenland, Iceland, and Great Britain.
The negotiations are taking place within the framework of the existing 1951 agreement between the US and Denmark, which allows the US to have a military presence in Greenland with Denmark's consent. In the past, the US had significantly more bases there (about 17 during the Cold War), but now only one main base remains – the Pituffik Space Base, which is used for missile surveillance.
High-ranking diplomats and officials from the US, Denmark, and Greenland are participating in the negotiations. On the American side, the process is coordinated by a representative of the State Department, and on the Danish side, by the ambassador and a representative of Greenland to the US. Meetings have taken place several times since the beginning of the year.
In parallel, the US is trying to ease the diplomatic tension that arose after Donald Trump's earlier statements. He claimed that Greenland should be under US control to prevent its potential 'seizure' by China or Russia. These words caused a crisis in relations with Denmark and Greenland, but now the official discourse is only about cooperation, not about changing the territory's status.
The White House reports that the negotiations are proceeding at a high level and in a constructive direction, but details are not being disclosed. Denmark confirms that a dialogue is underway and does not rule out the possibility of additional American bases but emphasizes that this must occur with due regard for its sovereignty.
Greenland's leadership also notes that the negotiations are moving in a better direction. The local prime minister emphasized that the dialogue has become calmer and more constructive compared to how it previously appeared in the public sphere. However, he added that Greenland is not going to give up its rights, is 'not for sale,' and will participate in any agreements only on the basis of respect.
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