Greenland: how to ease the tensions?

Jyllands-Posten sees a tangible conflict looming:

“Mette Frederiksen has conceded that Vance is right in that Denmark has not invested actively enough in Arctic security. But the same goes for the US. American military activities in the Arctic are at a historically low level. ... The US needs Greenland only so that the egomaniacal American president can one day count the incorporation of a gigantic territory as part of his legacy. ... After Vance's visit, it's clear: it's Trump versus Frederiksen. And it looks like there will be a decisive battle for a new world order. Should powerful nations be able to shamelessly violate territorial rights?”

Trump and Vance's annexation plans have met with disapproval in Greenland and Denmark but Moscow applauds them, Público reports:

“Vance didn't let pass the opportunity to scold the inhabitants, threaten Denmark and reaffirm that 'by the will of the president' the island will be annexed by the US sooner or later because it is strategically important and because the government in Copenhagen has 'not done a good job'. Putin has already welcomed the American decision, adding that he and his American counterpart can share control of the vast frozen Arctic zone and its wealth of natural resources.”

The EU must defend political principles in such crises, Telegram urges:

“The Signal scandal, the announcement of tariffs and the annexation of Greenland are all confirmation of the same policy, a policy of global chaos. Trump and his cohorts are still revelling in a feverish dream at having won the election. Drunk with power, they don't realise that the former allies have finally understood who they are dealing with. These bullies see decency, politeness and compromise solutions as weakness on the other side. The European Union can neither save the failed democracy of the US nor initiate the creation of a democratic Russian Federation. That is not its task. But it can stay true to its principles and keep bullies out of its own backyard.”

Berlingske would like to see the royal family send a signal:

“The governments of Greenland and Denmark could ask King Frederik to travel to Greenland - preferably on Friday. ... The king's presence would emphasise Greenland's territorial sovereignty within the kingdom. ... Part of the response to the United States is that the Kingdom of Denmark understands America's concerns. Greenland and Denmark are of course ready to discuss expanded military and security cooperation that respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the kingdom. All conflicts and disputes are about finding a way to reach out to each other.”

Politiken calls for a clear and united response to the US's provocations:

“The reaction should not come from Nuuk and Copenhagen alone. Brussels should give swift and unreserved support to Greenland and Denmark. ... The EU and Nato must stand shoulder to shoulder with the two in a fundamental defence of the sovereignty of nations. It's hard to believe that Donald Trump has driven the world to a point where such things can no longer be taken for granted. That's almost the scariest thing of all.”

Trump isn't the only one in the US to flirt with expansionist fantasies, comments Karar:

“Even if Denmark doesn't take the possibility of a violent takeover very seriously, this is still a possibility. More and more newspapers, especially the New York Times, are mentioning the importance of Greenland for America and providing their readers with geopolitical arguments to justify Trump. We shouldn't be surprised if this issue soon becomes a reality beyond the Make-America-Great-Again rhetoric. After all, the interest in this region is not new. The US has been interested in Greenland since the 1860s, or more precisely: it wants to buy it.”

Aftonbladet comments:

“Just this weekend Vice President JD Vance adopted a tougher tone towards Greenland and Denmark. He told Fox News that the US could 'take control of Greenland' if President Trump deemed it necessary for the country's security. These statements violate several international laws and principles. Of course the Trump administration knows this very well, but they obviously don't give a hoot about the consequences. Usha Vance is an intelligent woman who knows exactly what she's doing. The fact that she is helping to tear down the world order with a radiant smile on her face only makes it more unpleasant.”

Copenhagen and Nuuk should establish a direct line of communication with the US Congress, advises Berlingske:

“Trump's government is based on the idea that the president has extremely far-reaching powers. The point, however, is that the constitution gives Congress alone, not the president, the power to decide to take over other countries by force. ... Denmark and Greenland must join forces to make it difficult for Trump to continue the provocations or take illegal action citing US security. The important thing now is to talk to the US Congress, not the president, who won't listen anyway.”

Jyllands-Posten calls for immediate action:

“Can't we check the mobile phones of Mrs Vance and her high-ranking entourage to see if anyone has written anything nasty about Greenland? Then they might get the same message as a French researcher who was recently sent back to France because he had a mocking text message about Trump on his mobile phone. ... Shouldn't the visit be reason enough for Mette Frederiksen - and the rest of Europe - to stand up to Trump? As well as the appeal by Prime Minister Múte B. Egede to stand with Greenland against a superior force - a formulation that brought back dark memories of the radio address by Hungarian Prime Minister Imre Nagy when Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest in 1956.”