The US ambassador to Denmark, Mark Stroh, has confirmed Greenland’s right to self-determination, after being summoned in connection with alleged influence operations by US citizens, Reuters reports.
Stroh met with Danish and Greenlandic officials in Copenhagen on the 27th of August. The Danish Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador for talks after public broadcaster DR reported on alleged efforts by US citizens to sway the political sentiment of the Arctic island’s population in favor of the Americans. It was reported that individuals associated with US President Donald Trump had tried to turn the population against Denmark and encourage secession.
The US State Department said in a statement late on the 27th of August that Stroh had productive talks with Danish officials and stressed Washington’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with both Denmark and Greenland. The statement said Washington respects the right of the people of Greenland to determine their own future.
The department said it does not monitor or direct the actions of private individuals
and declined to comment on intelligence matters.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, has the right to declare independence. Trump, on the other hand, has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing Greenland to the US and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve his goals.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told the DR: “We are a partner, we are an ally, and we expect that the diplomatic rules of the game will apply. We expect that international law and sovereignty will be respected.”
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