‘We must stay united in situations like this,” said the Demokraatit party leader Nielsen.

On Friday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded to U.S. President Donald Trump by rejecting the possibility of the United States annexing Greenland.

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“You cannot annex an allied country or any other country—that would go against international law. It’s clear,” Rasmussen said in Copenhagen.

Trump, who has repeatedly expressed interest in the Arctic island in recent months, insisted yesterday that acquiring Greenland is essential for U.S. national security and that Washington must secure its annexation.

“We have to do it. We really need it for national security,” the U.S. president stated during an appearance in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Rutte said that he is not in a position to engage in discussions about whether Greenland should become part of the U.S. or not—a statement that Rasmussen downplayed on Friday.

“We have no doubt about the support we have in Europe. There was an informal meeting of government and state leaders in early February, where a very clear signal was sent,” Rasmussen declared, emphasizing European support for Denmark in the face of Trump’s threats, as the U.S. president has hinted at possibly using force or imposing sanctions against Copenhagen.

On Tuesday, Greenland held autonomous elections, in which Demokraatit, a liberal opposition party advocating for moderate independence—like most political forces on the island—emerged victorious. The party most in favor of a rapid separation from Denmark, Naleraq, was the second most voted.

“I don’t see any indication from the Greenlandic elections that they want to leave the Commonwealth of the Kingdom (which also includes the Faroe Islands) to become American,” Rasmussen said. However, he defended the need to “renew” and “modernize” that model to boost the island’s economy.

All Greenlandic parliamentary forces reject becoming part of the U.S., although Naleraq wants to sign a free association treaty with Washington, as does 85% of the population, according to a poll conducted a month and a half ago.

“We must stand together. Trump’s statements are inappropriate and once again show that we must stay united in situations like this,” said the leader of Demokraatit, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, last night.

Acting Greenlandic President Mute B. Egede accused Trump of “disrespecting” Greenlanders, called for a stronger “rejection” of the U.S. president, and stated that “enough is enough.” He convened the leaders of all Greenlandic parties for a crisis meeting to discuss the issue, which is expected to take place on Friday.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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