OSLO, Norway (AP) – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed strong disapproval of espionage among allies, stating, “you cannot spy against an ally,” in light of recent reports indicating that the United States has escalated intelligence operations concerning Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions involving U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring the strategically important Arctic island. Frederiksen's comments were made on a Friday, following a series of developments that have strained relations within this trilateral dynamic.
The conflict intensified after reports emerged suggesting that several senior officials under U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had instructed intelligence agencies to gather information about Greenland’s independence movement and local sentiments regarding U.S. resource extraction efforts on the island. In response, Denmark summoned the top American diplomat in the country for an explanation regarding these intelligence activities. The acting head of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, met with Danish Foreign Ministry official Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen to discuss the matter, though no further details were disclosed by either party.
Frederiksen characterized the intelligence gathering allegations as mere “rumors” reported by an international newspaper, although the Wall Street Journal cited sources familiar with the situation. She asserted the importance of cooperation on defense and security, particularly in Northern Europe, underscoring that spying among allies is unacceptable. In parallel, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen condemned the purported espionage as “unacceptable and disrespectful,” further asserting Greenland's autonomy and rights.
In a related statement, Gabbard's office highlighted her previous actions of referring alleged intelligence leaks to the Justice Department as “criminal.” She criticized the Wall Street Journal for its role in allegedly promoting politically motivated leaks of classified information, arguing that such actions threaten national security and democracy. Gabbard insisted that those responsible for such leaks should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The conversation about Greenland’s status has continued, as Nielsen previously remarked that statements made by U.S. officials regarding the island have been discourteous. He firmly stated, “It will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.” This sentiment reflects a broader framework of respect for sovereignty and self-determination, vital issues in the context of international relations and territorial negotiations.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre weighed in on the situation, asserting that any belief in a different legal regime governing the Arctic is misguided. He emphasized that sovereignty applies to the region and reiterated that “Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Gahr Støre made these remarks while preparing for a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force leaders in Oslo, which included discussions with leaders from the U.K., Nordic countries, and Baltic states, signaling a collaborative approach to security matters in the Arctic region.
