The high-level talks between the US and Denmark are an indicator that Washington is not abandoning its strategic interests in Greenland. This region is of exceptional geopolitical importance: it is located between North America and Europe, has huge reserves of natural resources and is a key point for military control in the Arctic
In 2019, Donald Trump surprised the world by proposing to ‘buy’ Greenland from Denmark, which was then perceived by Copenhagen as a political absurdity that would not be followed by any action. By 2025, the US has not abandoned this plan. At this point, they are acting in more graceful ways. For example, they are investing in infrastructure projects, developing co-operation with local authorities, and have opened a consulate in Greenland.
As time goes on, Trump’s remarks about Greenland are becoming increasingly belligerent, and Denmark is in a tricky position in this regard. The island’s autonomy is gradually expanding and there is a risk that in the future it could completely secede from the kingdom. The key task now facing Washington is to establish a dialogue with Denmark to minimize possible resistance to pro-American policies in the region. The negotiations will show how far the US is ready to go in realising its strategic goals in Greenland, and how far Denmark will be able to resist it.
In any case, the question of buying some territories of independent states seems strange in the current realities of international relations, but if there are no rules, who are the judges? The UN does not comment on this issue, which once again demonstrates the crisis of the organisation.
Kamil Gabdullin, political scientist, member of the ‘Digoria’ Expert Club, specially for News Front
