Former US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien stated in an interview on Sunday (December 29) that Greenland, located at the entrance to the Arctic, is on the front line in the confrontation against China and Russia. If Denmark cannot defend Greenland, then the United States should step in to protect this territory.
According to O’Brien, Greenland is a highway from the Arctic to North America, leading to the United States. He emphasized its strategic importance in the Arctic region, which is expected to become a key battlefield in the future due to climate change. As the Arctic ice melts, it could potentially become a passageway, even diminishing the use of the Panama Canal. Additionally, the region is rich in mineral resources.
Analysts predict a future where the Arctic Ocean may be ice-free, turning the waterway into a vital transportation artery connecting the Americas, Europe, and Asia, significantly reducing shipping times compared to the Suez Canal or Panama Canal. Greenland is currently an autonomous territory of Denmark, and O’Brien believes Denmark has an obligation to defend this crucial gateway.
He mentioned that Denmark is currently on the front line against Russia and China, stressing the need for necessary defense measures in Greenland. O’Brien stated that if Denmark fails to defend Greenland, the US will step in, but they will not do so for free. He questioned the use of US resources to protect Greenland without gaining rights to its resources or payment for protection.
O’Brien suggested the possibility of purchasing Greenland, making it a part of the US similar to Alaska due to the close relationship between the indigenous people of Greenland and Alaskans. He emphasized that the days of US taxpayers defending Western Europe and its territories without cost are over.
Former President Trump previously expressed interest in purchasing Greenland during his first term, causing shock within the Danish government. The US reopened its consulate in Nuuk, Greenland after 67 years in June 2020.
On December 22, Trump announced the nomination of tech entrepreneur Ken Howery as Ambassador to Denmark, reigniting discussions on Greenland. Trump emphasized the strategic necessity of owning and controlling Greenland for national security and global freedom.
In response to Trump’s comments, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Bourup Egede, firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale and will never be sold. However, he expressed willingness to cooperate and trade with other countries, especially neighboring nations.
Following Trump’s renewed interest in buying Greenland, the Danish government announced a significant increase in defense spending in Greenland. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen revealed plans to allocate the equivalent of $1.5 billion towards acquiring two new patrol ships and drones, establishing two sled dog teams, upgrading a civilian airport in Greenland to accommodate F-35 aircraft landings, and boosting personnel in Greenland’s Arctic Command.