OSLO/BERLIN - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen held a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon, delivering a firm, unified rejection of external claims over Greenland.

Frederiksen framed the stance as a matter of fundamental principle. "This is not only about Greenland or about the Kingdom. It is about the fact that borders must not be changed by force, that one people cannot be bought. And it is about ensuring that small countries should not fear large countries," she said.

"We are standing up not only for ourselves, but for the world order upon which previous generations built our democracy," she declared, emphasizing the inseparable bond within the Danish Realm.

Frederiksen then turned to address the people of Greenland directly through the cameras: "Dear fellow Greenlanders, you should know that we stand together."

Meanwhile, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said "Greenland does not want to be part of the United States." "Our goal and desire remain peaceful dialogue based on cooperation, with respect for our constitutional position, international law, our right to our own land, and our right to self-determination," he added.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt will attend talks held in Washington with US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, said Danish local media on Tuesday.

The upcoming talks occur amid sustained tensions, as US President Donald Trump, since returning to office in 2025, has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland and has not ruled out the use of force.  

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White House talks

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt will attend talks held in Washington with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, said Danish local media on Tuesday.

The talks, to be held at the White House with Vance as the host, aim to bring discussions concerning Greenland "into the meeting room" for a direct and frank dialogue between the two allies, Rasmussen told reporters after a meeting with the Danish Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee.

In a related move, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on the same occasion that he will meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte alongside Motzfeldt on Jan 19. He further emphasized the Danish government's commitment to "a more permanent and larger military presence" for Denmark and its NATO allies around Greenland.

Meanwhile, a number of bipartisan US lawmakers are introducing a bill aimed at preventing Trump from using the US military to invade a NATO member or territory amid mounting concerns over Trump's remarks demanding Greenland's "ownership."

"This is about our fundamental shared goals and our fundamental security, not just in Europe, but in the United States itself," said Democratic House Representative Bill Keating in a statement.

The proposed bill, which does not name any specific countries, would prohibit federal funds from being used to support any unauthorized military action against a NATO ally or its territory, and clearly states that no US official, including the president, may direct such an invasion, according to a Politico report.

Keating said he believes targeting funding is a stronger way to pressure the administration.

'A real unprecedented situation' 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday that the US ambition to control Greenland would constitute "a real unprecedented situation in the history of NATO and of any defense alliance in the world."

Pistorius made the remarks at a joint press conference in Berlin with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

Kallas said discussions are underway within member states regarding the situation and "tools in our hands" in response to the ambitions of US President Donald Trump. However, she did not give further details.

Meanwhile, Pistorius reaffirmed his support for Denmark's territorial integrity and sovereignty, emphasizing that the security of Greenland is a collective responsibility of NATO.

Norway, Sweden voice support

Prime ministers of Norway and Sweden on Tuesday voiced support for Denmark following the latest consultations among Nordic leaders.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store posted on social media platform X, saying: "Good call with Nordic colleagues tonight: We stand with the Kingdom of Denmark. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide in matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson echoed the position on the same platform, posting: "Just spoke with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen together with our Nordic colleagues. We stand behind Denmark and Greenland."