Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen held talks with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday (January 14). The discussions ended in what officials described as a “fundamental disagreement”.
‘Working under immense strain’
Speaking to national broadcaster KNR after the meeting, Motzfeldt said her small department had been working under immense strain. “We have been working very hard, even though there are not many of us,” she said. “I would not normally say this, but we are strong and we are doing everything we can. But the last few days, naturally…”
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt gets emotional on live TV: “We are doing our utmost. But the last days, naturally… oh, I am getting very emotional. I am overwhelmed.” pic.twitter.com/UrfnZ8d23M
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Foreign minister breaks down during interview
She then briefly broke down during the interview, struggling to hold back tears. “I am getting very emotional. I am overwhelmed. The last days have been tough. Our preparations and the growing pressure — that has been intense,” she said.
Government vows to protect Greenlanders
Motzfeldt underlined that Greenland’s government remained resilient and focused on protecting its people. “The government is strong,” she said, adding that it would continue working “to ensure that the Greenlandic people can feel safe and live securely”. “We are using all our strength to achieve this,” she added.
White House dismisses impact of European troops
Meanwhile, the White House on Thursday (January 15) said the presence of European troops in Greenland would not influence Trump’s position. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said such deployments had “no impact” on the president’s goal of acquiring Greenland.
“I don’t think troops in Europe affect the president’s decision-making process, nor do they affect his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all,” Leavitt told reporters.
Denmark rejects idea as unacceptable
Denmark’s foreign minister responded sharply, telling public broadcaster DR that the idea was unacceptable. “This is out of the question. It is not what we want in Denmark, nor in Greenland. It runs counter to all international rules and infringes on sovereignty,” he said.
Poland warns of Nato fallout
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also weighed in, warning that any attempt by one Nato member to take over another would have devastating consequences. “An attempt to take over part of a Nato member state by another Nato member state would be a political disaster,” he said at a press conference. “It would be the end of the world as we know it — a world built on Nato solidarity that has restrained aggression and upheld collective security.”
