In brief
A new defence agreement signed in New York allows Washington to establish bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, adding to its existing Pituffik site. Prime‑Minister Mette Frederiksen hailed the pact as a milestone for Arctic cooperation, while Greenland’s premier emphasized a win‑win‑win. The deal limits construction to NATO allies and recognises Greenland’s self‑determination, strengthening trans‑Atlantic ties amid earlier tensions.
The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have finalized a defence agreement that allows Washington to construct two new bases on the Arctic island, while recognising Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s self‑determination.
The treaty, signed at the UN General Assembly in New York, lets the US establish a new defence area at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east, in addition to its existing Pituffik Space Base in the northwest.
Prime‑Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed the deal as a “milestone” for Arctic cooperation, noting it would strengthen the U.S., Denmark and Greenland and keep the island inside NATO’s security umbrella.
Greenland’s premier Jens‑Frederik Nielsen called the pact a “win‑win‑win,” praising that it respects the territory’s political rights while expanding the U.S. military footprint.
Trump urged that the U.S. “immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence” in the agreed locations; the decision follows months of diplomatic friction after Washington’s earlier pressure to claim the island for national security reasons.
The agreement stipulates that any U.S. base construction must be mutually agreed upon by all parties and that no non‑NATO country may establish a military installation on Greenland.
While the treaty does not transfer ownership of the land, it explicitly acknowledges Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self‑determination, and it reinforces the possibility of Greenland remaining within NATO if it ever becomes fully independent.
NATO welcomed the deal in a statement, saying it would enhance security, stability and cooperation across the North Atlantic.
The signing ceremony was noted for its upbeat tone, with U.S. President Donald Trump declaring “This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States, for everybody,” a statement that echoed Denmark’s endorsement of the treaty.
