US senators urge respect for Denmark’s sovereignty

(MENAFN) Lawmakers from both major parties in the United States pressed the Trump administration on Tuesday to uphold Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They warned that applying pressure on a NATO ally would contradict the alliance’s core principle of self-determination.

In a joint statement, members of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group highlighted Denmark’s reliability as a partner, pointing to its military support after the September 11 attacks and its recent increases in defense spending.

“When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the statement said.

“Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend,” it said.

“With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO,” said the statement.

This appeal came as the administration indicated it was considering ways to acquire Greenland, including potential military actions, according to reports.

"The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal," White House Press Secretary Karolina Leavitt said.

Just one day after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, President Trump reiterated his push for Greenland, citing “national security” concerns.

“We need Greenland, from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he had said when asked about any potential US action against Greenland.

Greenland, which is self-governing but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, has consistently rejected proposals involving a transfer of sovereignty to the United States.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to "stop the threats."

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