Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has revealed that he is feeling "slightly more optimistic today than a week ago" regarding the resolution of US interests in Greenland. This follows what he described as "constructive" discussions held with American counterparts in Washington last night.
Restoring Dialogue After a Major Detour
Rasmussen confirmed that the talks, which aligned with hints from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have put the two nations back on track with the process agreed upon two weeks prior. He noted, "After that, there was a major detour, things were escalating, but now we are back on track." This development comes a week after US President Donald Trump's rambling Davos speech, where he repeatedly emphasised the need to take control of Greenland.
Focus on Security and Sovereignty
The Danish minister did not delve into specific details of the discussions, maintaining that they centred on how to address US security interests while respecting Denmark's firm red lines on territory and sovereignty. Rubio informed the US Congress that the low-profile format of the talks was intended to avoid "a media circus," with further discussions anticipated.
Broader Diplomatic Context
Rasmussen is expected to provide more insight behind closed doors as EU foreign ministers convene in Brussels this morning. Their agenda is packed, covering global hotspots including Greenland, Ukraine, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to deliver a significant foreign policy speech in the Bundestag, adding to the day's diplomatic focus.
Additional developments include monitoring the latest on Ukraine and Russia, such as a rare late-night violation of Polish airspace by weather balloons from Belarus. With these and other issues on the table, there is much to cover in today's diplomatic landscape.
