Greenland Security Deal Expands U.S. Arctic Military Role

Denmark, Greenland and the United States are expected to sign a trilateral agreement on Greenland’s security at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Although the agreement has not been made public, Denmark says it will place Arctic security within a broader NATO framework rather than leaving responsibility solely to Washington and Copenhagen. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said NATO would have a leading role in safeguarding the Arctic. The agreement is expected to permit the United States to expand its military presence in Greenland from the existing Pituffik Space Base to two additional locations: Narsarsuaq, the site of a former U.S. base, and Mestersvig, currently used by Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol. The deal is being presented by Denmark and Greenland as beneficial to the island and respectful of its sovereignty. However, it remains unclear whether it will amend the 1951 defence agreement that provides the legal basis for the U.S. military presence. The arrangement follows months of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has argued that Washington should control Greenland and has declined at times to rule out military or economic force to acquire it. His statements triggered a diplomatic crisis within NATO and prompted Denmark and Greenland to negotiate with the United States. Greenland’s strategic importance to Washington dates to the Second World War, when the U.S. built military and logistical facilities on the island to protect North Atlantic supply routes. The U.S. maintained a much larger presence during the Cold War, but only Pituffik remains active today. NATO has welcomed the proposed agreement, describing it as a contribution to regional security and cooperation. Trump has claimed the deal gives the United States permanent control over Greenland’s security, though Denmark has not endorsed that interpretation. Greenland’s government has sought to reassure residents, and opposition lawmaker Erik Jensen said he was not worried after reviewing the draft.

The United States reportedly plans to reopen a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and station forces at an eastern outpost currently operated by Denmark’s Sirius Patrol. The moves are part of a broader security agreement that the United States, Denmark and Greenland are expected to sign at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The terms have not been publicly disclosed and may not be finalized before the signing. The proposed sites are Narsarsuaq, where the United States previously operated the Bluie West One base until it closed in the 1950s, and Mestersvig, an eastern military outpost used by the Danish dog-sled patrol. President Donald Trump said the agreement would give the United States “permanent control over security, and all other needs” in Greenland, although Greenland and Denmark have emphasized their sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. The deal follows Trump’s earlier campaign to obtain U.S. control of Greenland, during which he declined at times to rule out military or economic pressure. That effort alarmed Greenland’s population, prompted criticism from the European Union and caused tensions among NATO allies. Greenland has repeatedly said the territory is not for sale. Greenland’s government said the agreement would strengthen the security of Greenland, Denmark, the United States and the broader Western alliance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also urged Arctic allies to increase defense spending and develop sovereign military, economic and infrastructure capabilities. The agreement would reportedly prevent non-NATO countries, especially China and Russia, from establishing military facilities in Greenland and restrict sensitive investments in its mining and critical-minerals sectors. Melting sea ice has opened shipping routes and exposed mineral resources, increasing competition among the United States, Russia and China. During the Cold War, the United States maintained 17 installations and more than 10,000 personnel in Greenland; Pituffik Space Base is now the only active U.S. station, with about 150 personnel.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland are scheduled to sign a security agreement at the United Nations in New York, expanding American involvement in Greenland’s defense while formally affirming Danish sovereignty over the autonomous Arctic territory. The signing is expected to take place at 1430 GMT and involve US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The agreement has not been publicly released. Trump has described it as giving the United States “permanent control” over Greenland’s security, reflecting his longstanding interest in obtaining strategic control of the territory. His position has alarmed Denmark, a NATO ally, and prompted strong opposition within the alliance since he returned to the White House in January 2025. Frederiksen said the deal recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. She characterized it as beneficial to Denmark, the Nordic countries, NATO and European security, particularly because of the Arctic’s strategic importance. According to Washington, the agreement is intended to prevent China and Russia from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland without US approval. Frederiksen said the Arctic and North Atlantic have long been regarded as an important defense zone for all NATO members. The deal therefore combines expanded US security involvement with an explicit acknowledgment of Denmark’s constitutional sovereignty and Greenland’s political rights, though its precise terms remain undisclosed.