Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has summoned the top US diplomat in Copenhagen, following a report that American citizens have been conducting covert influence operations in Greenland. Denmark's public broadcaster DR quoted sources as saying the aim was to infiltrate Greenland's society and promote its secession from Denmark to the US, although it was unable to clarify whether the men were working on their own.
Rasmussen said in a statement that any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom [of Denmark] will of course be unacceptable, and the US charge d'affaires had been summoned in that light. The BBC has approached the US embassy for comment.
However, US President Trump has said several times he wants to annex Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Vice-President JD Vance has accused Copenhagen of underinvesting in the territory.
On a visit to Greenland a few months ago, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned the US that you cannot annex another country.
The US currently has no ambassador in Copenhagen, so Rasmussen has summoned Mark Stroh, who as charge d'affaires is the most senior diplomat in the Danish capital. Denmark's foreign minister said in a statement to the BBC that the government was aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark.
It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead, he added. Denmark is a member of NATO and the European Union, and has long seen the US as one of its closest allies. Danes have been shocked by Trump's determination to control its semi-autonomous territory, with reports indicating a willingness to seize it by force. This is not the first diplomatic incident regarding Greenland's status, as Lars Lokke Rasmussen had previously summoned the US ambassador to Denmark in response to allegations regarding US spy efforts targeting the island.
Rasmussen said in a statement that any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom [of Denmark] will of course be unacceptable, and the US charge d'affaires had been summoned in that light. The BBC has approached the US embassy for comment.
However, US President Trump has said several times he wants to annex Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Vice-President JD Vance has accused Copenhagen of underinvesting in the territory.
On a visit to Greenland a few months ago, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned the US that you cannot annex another country.
The US currently has no ambassador in Copenhagen, so Rasmussen has summoned Mark Stroh, who as charge d'affaires is the most senior diplomat in the Danish capital. Denmark's foreign minister said in a statement to the BBC that the government was aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark.
It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead, he added. Denmark is a member of NATO and the European Union, and has long seen the US as one of its closest allies. Danes have been shocked by Trump's determination to control its semi-autonomous territory, with reports indicating a willingness to seize it by force. This is not the first diplomatic incident regarding Greenland's status, as Lars Lokke Rasmussen had previously summoned the US ambassador to Denmark in response to allegations regarding US spy efforts targeting the island.
