German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday that Greenland belongs to Denmark, and that the NATO alliance could discuss strengthening its defense if necessary.
Wadephul spoke after US President Donald Trump made fresh threats to take over Greenland, a prospect that alarmed NATO allies and has taken on new urgency after Trump followed up on threats to overthrow Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, an ambition first expressed in 2019 during his first presidency.
On Sunday, he told The Atlantic magazine in an interview: “We need Greenland, absolutely. We need protection.”
Speaking to reporters in Lithuania, Wadephul said Germany had questions about Maduro’s departure and stressed that the Venezuelan people should determine the future of their country in free and fair elections, after Trump said the US would run the country.
Regarding Greenland, Wadephul emphasized that it is part of Denmark, the Telegraph reports.
“And since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland, in principle, will also be subject to NATO protection,” he said.
“And if there are further requests to strengthen defense efforts in relation to Greenland, then we will have to discuss this within the framework of the alliance,” he added.
He did not provide details on the nature of these discussions. /Telegraph/