US, Denmark, Greenland to hold Arctic security talks in Washington next week

Representatives of the United States, Denmark, and Greenland are expected to hold talks in Washington next week, possibly on January 13.

European leaders intend to back Copenhagen, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom having already coordinated their positions and discussed further steps, per German media, cited by Caliber.Az.

Ahead of Tuesday, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul are set to travel to the US capital. Wadephul is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The German foreign minister plans to discuss NATO’s strategy in the Arctic and reaffirm Germany’s position on Greenland.

“The Arctic region has acquired new significance from a security perspective, and this importance will continue to grow—above all because Russia and China have interests there that run counter to ours. At the same time, it is clear that issues of Greenland’s territory and sovereignty are exclusively a matter for Greenland and Denmark,” Wadephul said.

US President Donald Trump revived his 2019 idea of purchasing Greenland in late 2024–2025, escalating rhetoric post-inauguration. He has described it as a "national security priority" to counter Russia/China, prevent them from gaining influence, and secure access to rare earth minerals, missile defence infrastructure and emerging Arctic shipping routes due to climate change.

By Khagan Isayev