WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance has called on European countries to take Greenland’s security “more seriously,” warning that the United States may step in if they fail to act.
“What we’re asking our European friends is to recognize the strategic importance of that land mass, because if they don’t, the United States is going to have to do something about it,” ance told reporters, without specifying what measures Washington might take.
He added that any final decision would be left to President Donald Trump as diplomatic discussions with European partners continue.
According to Anadolu, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to meet Danish officials next week, following a request from Copenhagen. Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen called the upcoming talks “really good news.”
Vance highlighted Greenland’s critical role, not only for American missile defense but for global security, warning that “hostile adversaries” have shown significant interest in the region. “My advice to European leaders and anybody else would be to take the President of the United States seriously,” he added.
President Trump has emphasized that the United States must own Greenland outright, rather than rely on leases or treaty agreements. “Ownership is very important,” he told The New York Times, explaining that it provides strategic advantages unattainable through other arrangements.
When asked whether acquiring Greenland or preserving NATO was the higher priority, Trump avoided a direct answer but suggested it “may be a choice,” noting that the transatlantic alliance holds little value without American participation. He stressed that Russia and China only respect NATO because of US leadership.
The president has renewed efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that all options remain on the table, while Rubio told lawmakers the administration is aiming to purchase the territory rather than initiate any military action.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged the US to “stop the threats.” Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly rejected any proposals suggesting a transfer of sovereignty to the United States.
