“According to two Axios sources familiar with the proposal, the framework agreement on Greenland that US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed on Wednesday includes the principle of respecting Denmark’s sovereignty over the island.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Donald Trump, photo: Facebook Source: Axios citing sources
Details: Trump has repeatedly said, including earlier Wednesday, that he would only agree to a deal that would put Greenland under US control. Rutte’s proposed deal, which Trump said “gives us everything we need,” does not.
Advertising:
In a speech in Davos on Wednesday, Trump said the US “needs” Greenland but, importantly, the US will not use force to take it. He called for immediate negotiations, mocking Denmark as a weak country and calling NATO “ungrateful”.
Axios reports that Trump’s tone was quite different when he emerged hours after a lengthy meeting with Rutte in which the NATO secretary general outlined the proposed framework.
Trump announced he would not follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on eight European allies on February 1 for opposing his claim to Greenland. He also made it clear that if the agreement was reached on the terms he discussed with Rutte, the entire crisis around Greenland would be over.
Asked by reporters if Greenland would become part of the United States, Trump avoided a direct answer, saying: “This is the final long-term deal. It’s an indefinite deal. It’s a forever deal.”
However, Axios notes, in one of the interviews, Rutte stated that the question of who will control Greenland “was not raised” at the meeting.
Rutte said the proposal applied to all NATO members, and in particular the “seven Arctic allies” who should do more to protect the Arctic region.
Two Axios sources familiar with Rutte’s proposal said it does not include a transfer of sovereignty over Greenland from Denmark to the United States.
The plan involves renewing the 1951 “Greenland Defense Agreement” between the US and Denmark, which allowed the US to build military bases on the island and create “defense zones” if NATO deemed it necessary.
It also includes sections on increasing security in Greenland and NATO’s activities in the Arctic, and additional work with minerals, the publication’s sources said.
The proposal also includes provisions for placing the “Golden Dome” in Greenland and countering the “malign external influence” of Russia and China.
Rutte’s ideas echo a Danish proposal that has long been under consideration: Denmark would retain sovereignty, but the US could increase its military presence.
The US is expected to begin high-level talks with Denmark and Greenland on a potential deal in the coming weeks.
What preceded: Trump said he laid the groundwork for a future deal on Greenland during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to the media, Denmark may give the US sovereignty over small areas of Greenland for the construction of US military bases.