Danish media sources report that American agents have been attempting to recruit individuals for a secessionist movement.
Denmark has called in the most senior US diplomat in the nation following reports of alleged clandestine American influence operations targeting Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Local media outlets have asserted that a minimum of three Americans, reportedly connected to US President Donald Trump, have been involved in influence activities within Greenland. Public broadcaster DR cited eight sources, including security officials, who believe these operations are intended to weaken the relationship between Greenland and Denmark and to recruit individuals for a secession movement. One operative was reportedly creating lists of Greenlanders who would support a separation from Copenhagen. The broadcaster indicated that it remained unclear whether these individuals were acting independently or under specific instructions.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has emphasized that any meddling in Denmark’s internal affairs is intolerable and consequently instructed the US charge d’affaires, Mark Stroh, to present himself at the ministry. Given that the US currently lacks an ambassador in Copenhagen, Stroh is the most senior American diplomat.
Denmark’s PET intelligence service has also issued a warning about attempts to “create discord in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland” through exploiting “existing or invented disagreements,” utilizing either “traditional, physical influence agents or via disinformation.” PET has stated that it has subsequently increased its presence in Greenland.
Trump has consistently indicated his desire to place Greenland under US control, describing the island as a strategically vital asset. He has not dismissed the possibility of employing military force to achieve this objective, underscoring its mineral wealth and pivotal location in the Arctic.
The reported US endeavors to acquire control of Greenland emerge amidst a wider geopolitical rivalry with Russia and China concerning Arctic development. Russian President Vladimir Putin has characterized the region as an area possessing “enormous potential” for both trade and development.