Scholz stands firm on Denmark’s sovereignty, urges NATO expansion in Greenland

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced support for increasing NATO’s presence in Greenland, citing concerns over US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims regarding the island.

Scholz emphasized that the principle of inviolability of borders should apply universally.

“Global warming is changing the Arctic region, opening up new shipping lanes in which China and Russia have a strong interest. So there are legitimate security issues that we need to discuss with each other within NATO. In my opinion, we should increase NATO's presence in Greenland,” Scholz said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Scholz, who leads the largest EU country, underscored the importance of defending small states. “As chancellor of the largest EU country, I consider it my duty to keep my back straight and speak clearly when a challenge is thrown at a small state like Denmark,” he said. At the same time, he reiterated his commitment to maintaining strong relations with the United States, even in challenging times. “Even when things get more difficult,” Scholz added.

On January 7, Trump stated that Greenland should become part of the United States and threatened high trade duties against Denmark if it did not cede control of the island. During his first term, Trump had attempted to buy Greenland, but both Danish and Greenlandic officials rejected the idea.

In response to Trump’s persistent interest in acquiring Greenland, Greenland’s ruling Siumut party announced on February 7 plans to hold a vote on the territory's independence after the general election next month. The decision follows Trump’s desire to “get” the strategically important island. Siumut, part of Greenland’s two-party coalition government, is invoking a 2009 law that granted Greenland greater autonomy, including the right to negotiate full independence. Doris Jensen, the party's political spokesperson, stressed that Greenland must achieve independence from Denmark to negotiate its future.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, was once a Danish colony until 1953. Today, it maintains substantial self-governing rights. In 1951, the US and Denmark signed the Treaty for the Defence of Greenland, a NATO agreement that ensures the US will defend the island against aggression. The island is also home to the American Pituffik space base, which plays a key role in missile warning systems and Arctic zone control.

By Tamilla Hasanova