Greenland Parliament Ratifies Arctic Defense Pact with US and Denmark

Greenland's parliament approved a new security agreement with the United States and Denmark on Monday.

The vote was unanimous among those who cast ballots, with 16 lawmakers supporting the deal and seven abstaining. The agreement was originally signed in September by US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The signing ceremony took place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, following months of private negotiations. These talks occurred after President Trump made public comments suggesting a desire to acquire the island.

Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mute Egede described the ratification as a difficult but necessary step for the territory. He posted on social media that the negotiation process tested the population but that the government maintained its core principles. Egede wrote, "The road to this point has been a difficult one for us as a people. But we have stood firm on our fundamental principles, chosen dialogue and taken responsibility for our country’s interests." He added that the accord addresses the security needs of the 57,000 residents and protects their right to shape their own future.

The agreement establishes a framework for increased US military presence on the island. It authorizes the construction of additional bases and permits the modernization of the Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. The deal explicitly states that Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty. However, it includes a clause ensuring the security arrangement continues to apply even if Greenland eventually becomes fully independent.

The pact is not yet in force. It requires completion of parliamentary processes within the Kingdom of Denmark, conducted in coordination with Greenland. Danish lawmakers are scheduled to debate the agreement later this month. The United States does not require Senate approval for the deal to take effect, which removes one potential hurdle in the final ratification stage.