United States, Denmark and Greenland sign defence pact permitting two new bases
The United States, Denmark and Greenland agreed to a defence arrangement that allows Washington to build two additional military installations in Greenland while confirming Danish sovereignty.
Washington, Copenhagen and the Greenlandic government concluded a defence agreement at the United Nations General Assembly, permitting the United States to establish two new military sites in Greenland. The pact updates a 1951 defence treaty and authorises a "Defence Area" at Narsarsuaq in the south and at Mestersvig in the east, subject to technical details agreed by all parties.
"We will immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations," President Donald Trump said at the signing ceremony.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the deal a "milestone in our long-standing co-operation" and said it respects Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination. Greenland’s premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the arrangement as beneficial for the island’s people, security and development, and noted that Greenland would remain a NATO member even if it later achieved independence.
The agreement also confirms that only NATO members may operate manned or unmanned installations in Greenland and that the United States may modernise and expand its existing Pituffik Space Base in the north-west. Current U.S. personnel at Pituffik number more than 100.
The deal follows months of tension after President Trump previously threatened to "take" Greenland, citing strategic and mineral interests. European leaders had warned that such rhetoric could damage transatlantic relations. The new pact is presented as a collaborative solution to Arctic security concerns.