US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to insist that Washington should take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
The visit to the US military base in Pituffik in the north of the Arctic island comes just hours after a new expanded coalition government, which for now wants to maintain ties with Denmark, was unveiled in the capital, Nuuk, Hina reported, citing Al Jazeera Balkans.
The new prime minister said Vance’s visit showed a “lack of respect” and called for unity amid “external pressure”.
The Danish king issued a statement on social media saying: “We live in a changed reality. There should be no doubt that my love for Greenland and my connection to the people of Greenland are intact,” King Frederik said.
The US delegation also includes Vance’s wife Usha, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Minister Chris Wright.
According to the original plan, JD’s wife Vance was supposed to attend the dog sled race with Waltz, although neither the Greenlandic nor the Danish authorities invited them there.
Due to public demonstrations and angry reactions from Greenland and Denmark, the American delegation only flew to the military base and will not meet with the public.
Under the 1951 agreement, US representatives can visit their base whenever they want, provided they notify Greenland or Copenhagen.
Pituffik is located on the shortest route from Europe to North America and is key to the US ballistic missile early warning system.
