In order to discuss the alliance’s Arctic security strategy, Denmark’s foreign minister will go to Norway, the UK, and Sweden, according to a Sunday announcement from his ministry.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen, the foreign minister, is scheduled to fly to Oslo on Sunday, London on Monday, and Stockholm on Thursday.
The diplomatic trip comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight nations, including the three Rasmussen is visiting, for opposing his intention to take over Greenland, an autonomous Danish region.
Trump has accused Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland of playing a “very dangerous game” after they sent a few dozen troops to the island as part of a military drill.
“In an unstable and unpredictable world, Denmark needs close friends and allies,” Rasmussen stated in a press release.
“Our countries share the view that we all agree on the need to strengthen NATO’s role in the Arctic, and I look forward to discussing how to achieve this,” he said.
A special gathering of EU ambassadors has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Brussels.
According to the ministry statement, Denmark recently joined a declaration on Greenland “in cooperation with several European allies” that stated the mineral-rich island is a member of NATO and that alliance countries have a “shared responsibility” for its security.
Trump has made no secret of his intention to annex Greenland since taking office for a second term. He has defended the plan as essential for national security and to stave off alleged Chinese and Russian advances in the Arctic.
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