Senior officials in Greenland have issued a stark warning, stating that the island's population is living in fear and feeling profoundly betrayed by the United States following a series of aggressive threats from former President Donald Trump.
A Plea for Peace Amid Rising Tensions
Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's Minister for Business, addressed the media in Parliament on 13 January 2026, revealing the deep anxiety gripping the Danish territory. She confirmed that discussions with international allies were underway regarding a potential response should the US make good on its threats to invade.
"We want a peaceful solution," Ms Nathanielsen stated emphatically. "We will work towards that for as long as we can. We see no point in using weapons against each other. We should be friends. We are allies."
She expressed gratitude for the firm support shown by Britain and other European partners in the face of what she described as bewildering and offensive rhetoric from Washington.
NATO Dilemma and Widespread Anxiety
When questioned on whether Greenland could expect support from the NATO alliance in the event of an American invasion, the minister highlighted a profound constitutional crisis. "I really cannot answer your question," she responded, "because it implies that it would be one country being attacked by another NATO partner, but actually we would all be under attack."
The human cost of the escalating situation is already severe. Ms Nathanielsen painted a grim picture of daily life under the shadow of these threats. "People are not sleeping, children are afraid, and it just fills everything these days. And we can't really understand it," she said.
Over the preceding fortnight, President Trump has intensified his claims that sending troops to Greenland is a matter of US national security, ostensibly to prevent Russian or Chinese acquisition. However, the minister suggested other motives could be at play, including the island's vast natural resources.
Diplomatic Moves and a Firm Rejection
The diplomatic fallout continues, with a high-level meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 14 January 2026. US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to host the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland at the White House to discuss Trump's interest in the territory.
This follows a clear and repeated rejection from Greenlandic leadership. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has reiterated that the island is categorically not for sale and does not wish to be owned or ruled by the United States.
Despite the sense of betrayal, Minister Nathanielsen noted she was moved by the solidarity shown by nations including the UK, France, and Germany. Concurrently, she voiced support for an increased NATO presence on the island to counter genuine threats from Russia and China, starkly contrasting with the current crisis initiated by an ally.
