US Vice President Criticizes Denmark's Defense Strategies for Greenland

Fri Jan 09 2026 12:25:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

JD Vance expresses concerns over Europe's defense of Greenland amidst tensions with Russia and China, emphasizing its critical role in missile defense systems. Both Greenland and Denmark maintain the territory is not for sale, despite ongoing discussions around its strategic importance.

In a recent interview, US Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark and Europe for inadequately securing Greenland, highlighting its strategic importance against potential missile threats from Russia and China. Current US discussions regarding purchasing the territory have reignited concerns over sovereignty, with European leaders affirming Greenland's ties to Denmark. Vance stressed the need for better defense collaboration between the US and its NATO allies.

US Vice-President JD Vance says Greenland is critical for the defense of the US and the world against possible Russian or Chinese missile attacks - and that Europe and Denmark have not done a good job in securing the area.

Vance told Fox News that they had not only under-invested in Greenland's defenses but also failed to engage with President Donald Trump's argument over the issue.

US officials are actively discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland - a semi-autonomous Danish territory - the White House said on Wednesday, a day after suggesting military action to annex it to the US was also an option.

Denmark, a fellow NATO member, has warned this would spell the end of the alliance.

Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stressed the island is not for sale.

Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.

In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.

Vance emphasized, People do not realize that the entire missile defense infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland. He added, If God forbid the Russians and the Chinese - not saying they're going to - but if, God forbid, somebody launched a nuclear missile into our continent, they launched a nuclear missile at Europe, Greenland is a critical part of that missile defense.

He questioned, Have the Europeans, have the Danes done a proper job of securing Greenland and making sure it can continue to serve as an anchor for world security and missile defense? And the answer is obviously they haven't.

Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro. Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019 during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.

Aaja Chemnitz, one of two MPs in the Danish parliament representing Greenland, told the BBC that concerns over US actions are seen as disrespectful and threatening.

In contrast, local perspectives vary, with some expressing indifference towards the idea of US ownership, fearing it would be a mere switch from one governing authority to another, amidst the backdrop of a changing environment and resource management challenges.