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Denmark to spend billions more on Arctic military security | |
(14 days later) | |
Greenland's Minister for Independence and Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt made the announcement alongside Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen | Greenland's Minister for Independence and Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt made the announcement alongside Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen |
Denmark has said it will spend 14.6 billion kroner (£1.6bn; $2.05bn) to boost security in the Arctic region, in partnership with its autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands. | Denmark has said it will spend 14.6 billion kroner (£1.6bn; $2.05bn) to boost security in the Arctic region, in partnership with its autonomous territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands. |
The deal includes three new Arctic ships, more long-range drones with advanced image acquisition capacity and stronger satellite capacity. | The deal includes three new Arctic ships, more long-range drones with advanced image acquisition capacity and stronger satellite capacity. |
"We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic," Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. | "We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic," Denmark's Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said. |
The move comes after US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to acquire Greenland, an island which has wide-ranging autonomy but remains part of Denmark. | The move comes after US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to acquire Greenland, an island which has wide-ranging autonomy but remains part of Denmark. |
Asked earlier in January whether he could rule out using military or economic force to pursue his desire to take over the territory, Trump said he could not. | Asked earlier in January whether he could rule out using military or economic force to pursue his desire to take over the territory, Trump said he could not. |
Greenland, the world's most sparsely populated territory, is home to about 56,000 mostly indigenous Inuit people. | Greenland, the world's most sparsely populated territory, is home to about 56,000 mostly indigenous Inuit people. |
The US has long maintained a security interest in Greenland. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the US invaded Greenland, establishing military and radio stations across the territory. It has maintained a presence in the region since. | The US has long maintained a security interest in Greenland. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the US invaded Greenland, establishing military and radio stations across the territory. It has maintained a presence in the region since. |
Greenland lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically important for the US. | Greenland lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically important for the US. |
In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including mining for rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. | In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including mining for rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. |
Why does Trump want Greenland and what do its people think? | Why does Trump want Greenland and what do its people think? |
Trump says he believes US will 'get Greenland' | Trump says he believes US will 'get Greenland' |
"Greenland is entering a time of changing threat landscape," Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's Independence and Foreign Affairs Minister, said in a statement announcing the new defence spending. | "Greenland is entering a time of changing threat landscape," Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland's Independence and Foreign Affairs Minister, said in a statement announcing the new defence spending. |
"I am pleased that with this partial agreement we have taken the first step towards strengthening security in and around Greenland." | "I am pleased that with this partial agreement we have taken the first step towards strengthening security in and around Greenland." |
An announcement of further funding is expected to come in the first half of this year. | An announcement of further funding is expected to come in the first half of this year. |
The new investment follows Denmark's separate announcement in December that it was spending roughly £1.2 billion on Greenland's defence, including the purchase of new ships, long-range drones and extra dog sled teams. | The new investment follows Denmark's separate announcement in December that it was spending roughly £1.2 billion on Greenland's defence, including the purchase of new ships, long-range drones and extra dog sled teams. |
Poulsen then described the timing of the announcement as an "irony of fate" - coming just after Trump said ownership and control of Greenland was an "absolute necessity" for the US. | Poulsen then described the timing of the announcement as an "irony of fate" - coming just after Trump said ownership and control of Greenland was an "absolute necessity" for the US. |
Greenland's prime minister has said the territory is not for sale, adding that "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland". | Greenland's prime minister has said the territory is not for sale, adding that "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland". |
Denmark's prime minister has told Trump that it is up to Greenland to decide its own future. | Denmark's prime minister has told Trump that it is up to Greenland to decide its own future. |
Trump has doubled down on his intent since then, despite warnings from European countries not to threaten Greenland. | Trump has doubled down on his intent since then, despite warnings from European countries not to threaten Greenland. |