Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has strongly reaffirmed that Greenland is still a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, rejecting recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who indicated that the US would do anything to purchase the island.
"Greenland belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. That is not something that will change," Frederiksen said in an interview with Danish media on Thursday.
She also reiterated, "Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people."
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also countered what he termed as a "false narrative" going around in US political circles, asserting that Greenland is keen to join America, according to Xinhua news agency.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen condemned Trump's comments, terming them a "veiled threat" and "deeply inappropriate," warning that such language was escalating tensions.
"It is the Greenlanders who decide Greenland's future," Poulsen declared.
Protests Against US Pressure
Following Washington's alleged pressure, a demonstration has been planned for Saturday in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, where organizers denounced what they call "unwanted interference" from the US.
In the meantime, the White House on Tuesday said Vice-President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, will travel to Pituffik Space Base on Friday to greet US troops and review the security situation.
Usha Vance was initially set to attend cultural activities in Nuuk and Sisimiut, such as a dog sled race, but these have now been canceled.
Greenland's Political Status and US Interest
Formerly a Danish colony, Greenland was made a part of Denmark in 1953. In 1979, it acquired home rule, gaining more independence while Denmark would still control its foreign and defense policies.
A high-ranking White House official told CNN that multiple Trump administration personnel and a Republican congressman will join US Vice-President J.D. Vance and Usha Vance on their forthcoming trip to Greenland.
The US delegation will leave early morning Friday and come back late night Saturday. People joining the Vice-President are US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Senator Mike Lee, who is a strong supporter of Trump's vision to buy Greenland.
Trump on Monday said that "people from Greenland are asking us to go there," but the Prime Minister of Greenland, Mute B. Egede, refuted the claim, terming the visit "highly."
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