Prime Minister Mark Carney said Greenland’s security was part of NATO and Greenland’s future was a decision that was up to Danish territory and Denmark, as US President Donald Trump repeated his annexation threats.
Carney made the comments Tuesday morning in Paris ahead of a meeting with European leaders and Ukraine’s allies to discuss Canada’s role in a possible ceasefire with Russia.
“We are partners in NATO. It’s a mutual defense alliance. We can provide that security. As NATO, we can provide security for the whole of NATO, including Greenland,” Carney told reporters at the Canadian Embassy in Paris.
“The future of Greenland is a decision that belongs exclusively to Greenland and Denmark, it is their decision.”
Trump said again on Sunday that the United States should acquire Greenland, saying it was in the interest of “national security.” The comments come a day after the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
In response, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said: “Enough is enough. No more pressure. No more hints. No more annexation fantasies.”
Nielsen added that while Greenland is “open to conversations” about Arctic security, those discussions must take place through appropriate channels and in compliance with international law.
Carney went on to talk about Canada’s role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, and how that plays a role in Greenland’s security as countries work to increase military investment in the Arctic.
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“With the strengthening of our military capabilities, which is just the beginning of our military capabilities, we are investing heavily in the Arctic. We will work with our Nordic partners, through NATO,” Carney said.
“This is one of the issues I will discuss with the [NATO] Secretary General [Mark Rutte] as part of an ongoing discussion with him about this to move things forward.
On Tuesday, several European leaders issued a joint statement highlighting Greenland’s role within NATO and the military alliance’s determination to increase its presence in the Arctic.
Carney’s comments on the right of Greenland and Denmark to decide the future of the territory were also echoed in the declaration, which was attended by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, as well as Denmark and Greenland.
This comes after Carney’s budget included spending $1 billion over four years to improve and expand Canada’s military capabilities in remote regions, including the Arctic.
Ottawa also announced a new Arctic foreign policy, which aims to refocus attention on Arctic security to complement future defense strategies. This includes creating an ambassador to the Arctic and establishing diplomatic missions in Greenland and other regions.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said last month that Ottawa plans to open a consulate in Greenland in early 2026 in partnership with Denmark.
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