Trump and Mark Rutte’s talks about Greenland: Contradictions in statements and emphasis on diplomacy
US President Donald Trump announced that he had reached a framework agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the Greenland issue; however, Mark Rutte denied this claim in an interview with Fox News, saying, “I have not discussed the issue of sovereignty over Greenland with Trump.”
On the sidelines of the Davos meeting, Rutte referred to security threats in the Arctic, saying the region was increasingly exposed to security threats as new sea routes opened up to Russia, China and other hostile actors.
He also added that “there is still a lot of work to be done to reach an agreement on Greenland.”
According to Axios, citing informed sources, Trump and Rutte have discussed the principle of respecting Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, but the NATO Secretary General’s proposal does not include the full transfer of Greenland’s sovereignty to the United States.
Meanwhile, the White House spokesman emphasized that President Trump will discuss the Greenland issue with the NATO Secretary General, adding: “If we don’t act, China or Russia will acquire Greenland; the President wants NATO to be strong. We are committed to acquiring Greenland through a diplomatic process and have rejected the military option.”
Rutte also assured Trump that NATO would provide its full support in the event of any attack on the United States, and referred to NATO’s presence alongside the United States in the Afghan war, calling this support “a full guarantee.”
These contradictory statements come as US diplomatic pressure continues for greater access or control over Greenland, and tensions have increased between Washington and its European allies over the issue.
