NATO member plans increased defense investment as Trump targets its territory
Copenhagen plans to invest over $1.5 billion in militarizing the icy region that Donald Trump suggested should be under US jurisdiction. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that drones and dog sled teams will be deployed to the frozen island as Denmark invests over $1.5 billion in Greenland's defense.
Poulsen revealed to Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper that Copenhagen plans to allocate a “double digit billion amount” in krone, totaling at least $1.5 billion, as part of measures designed to bolster the Danish military presence in Greenland. This initiative will include two patrol boats, two long-range drones, two sled dog teams, and funding to upgrade one of the territory’s civilian airports for F-35 fighter jets.
He emphasized the necessity of the investment, stating, “For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence.”
Just two days prior, US President-elect Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that “for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
Trump previously expressed similar sentiments during his first term, proposing the purchase of Greenland from Denmark in what he described as “essentially…a large real estate deal.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, Poulsen explained that the increased military spending in Greenland had been planned beforehand and characterized the timing of the announcement as an “irony of fate.”
Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, voiced strong opposition to Trump’s comments, declaring, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” while also welcoming the prospect of enhanced trade and cooperation with the US.
Although Greenland gained home rule status from Denmark in 1979, Copenhagen still oversees its defense and foreign policy. The island is predominantly covered by a thick ice sheet, with two-thirds of its area situated above the Arctic Circle. Notably, it hosts a significant US Space Force base, the northernmost American military installation globally.
Acquiring Greenland would significantly enhance American access to the Arctic Ocean. Currently, Russian territory accounts for 50% of the Arctic coastline, making the region strategically important for Moscow.
The idea of purchasing Greenland is not novel; it was initially proposed by President Andrew Johnson in the 1860s. Johnson ultimately succeeded in negotiating the acquisition of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
Poulsen revealed to Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper that Copenhagen plans to allocate a “double digit billion amount” in krone, totaling at least $1.5 billion, as part of measures designed to bolster the Danish military presence in Greenland. This initiative will include two patrol boats, two long-range drones, two sled dog teams, and funding to upgrade one of the territory’s civilian airports for F-35 fighter jets.
He emphasized the necessity of the investment, stating, “For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence.”
Just two days prior, US President-elect Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that “for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
Trump previously expressed similar sentiments during his first term, proposing the purchase of Greenland from Denmark in what he described as “essentially…a large real estate deal.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, Poulsen explained that the increased military spending in Greenland had been planned beforehand and characterized the timing of the announcement as an “irony of fate.”
Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, voiced strong opposition to Trump’s comments, declaring, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” while also welcoming the prospect of enhanced trade and cooperation with the US.
Although Greenland gained home rule status from Denmark in 1979, Copenhagen still oversees its defense and foreign policy. The island is predominantly covered by a thick ice sheet, with two-thirds of its area situated above the Arctic Circle. Notably, it hosts a significant US Space Force base, the northernmost American military installation globally.
Acquiring Greenland would significantly enhance American access to the Arctic Ocean. Currently, Russian territory accounts for 50% of the Arctic coastline, making the region strategically important for Moscow.
The idea of purchasing Greenland is not novel; it was initially proposed by President Andrew Johnson in the 1860s. Johnson ultimately succeeded in negotiating the acquisition of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
