US senators call on Trump administration to respect Denmark's sovereignty on Greenland

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Republican and Democratic senators on Tuesday urged the Trump administration to respect Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying any attempt to pressure a NATO ally would undermine the alliance’s principles of self-determination.

Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis, co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, said in a joint statement that Denmark has been a reliable ally, citing its military support after the Sept. 11 attacks and recent increases in its defense spending.

“When Denmark and Greenland make it clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty obligations and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” the statement said.

“Any suggestion that our nation would subject a fellow NATO ally to coercion or external pressure undermines the very principles of self-determination that our Alliance exists to defend,” it said.

“With an active war in Ukraine and rising threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, we cannot afford distractions or divisions within NATO,” said the statement.

This came as the Trump administration says it is weighing its options to acquire Greenland, including possible military measures, according to a statement from the White House.

"The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal," White House Press Secretary Karolina Leavitt said.

A day after the US military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump on Sunday renewed his call for a takeover of Greenland for "national security" interests.

“We need Greenland, from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he had said when asked about any potential US action against Greenland.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has repeatedly rejected proposals suggesting any transfer of sovereignty to the US.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to "stop the threats."