Denmark allocates $13.8 Billion to strengthen Greenland’s defense

Greenland is facing a significant risk to its sovereignty. Consequently, Danish Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced on Tuesday night that Denmark would spend 88 billion Danish kroner ($13.8 billion) to strengthen Greenland’s defense.

Trump has recently highlighted his willingness to acquire Greenland, even suggesting that the U.S. military could be used if necessary. Therefore, the Prime Minister of Greenland emphasized the urgent need to engage in peaceful dialogue through diplomatic channels in order to prevent a potential crisis.

European leaders have responded with a joint statement reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty in the face of renewed U.S. interest. They stressed that Greenland belongs to its people and that any decisions regarding its future must be made by Denmark and Greenland alone.

The statement highlighted the importance of Arctic security and the role of NATO allies working together, recognizing the United States as an essential partner while insisting that sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders must be respected.

Nevertheless, any armed attack on Greenland would legally be considered an attack on Denmark, as Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO territory.

As a result, under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, such an action would trigger collective defense obligations, requiring immediate consultations among NATO allies. Each member state would then be expected to assist Denmark, potentially including the use of military force, in order to restore and maintain security in the North Atlantic area.

This scenario, however, exposes a profound paradox at the heart of the Alliance: the United States, the hypothetical aggressor in this case, is itself one of NATO’s founding and most powerful members. Article 5 was conceived to deter and respond to external threats, not armed attacks originating from within the Alliance.

An attack by a NATO member against another NATO member would therefore generate an unprecedented legal and political contradiction, likely resulting in institutional paralysis and forcing NATO to confront the limits of its collective defense framework.

In addition to this defense buildup, Denmark’s King Frederik announced that he has updated the royal coat of arms to give more prominent representation to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, replacing the traditional three crowns with a polar bear and a ram to underscore the importance of these territories amid rising tensions over Greenland’s status.

Overall, European and Greenlandic leaders have made clear that external powers should not dictate Greenland’s future, while reaffirming collective cooperation on regional security.

Benedetta Zimone