Legal Framework and Military Orders Concerning Greenland
In 1952, Denmark enacted a law that mandates its armed forces to respond immediately to any attack on its territory, regardless of whether a formal declaration of war has been issued. This legislative act was instituted to prevent a repeat of the surprise invasion by Nazi Germany during World War II. Under this decree, Danish military units are instructed to engage without waiting for orders if their territorial integrity is threatened or if Danish troops abroad are attacked, thus enabling rapid response capabilities in times of conflict.
The orders specify that military units should “without delay take up the fight” and continue resisting to facilitate broader mobilisation efforts. This directive also obliges law enforcement agencies to support military actions against internal collaborators, while Home Guard members are required to report for duty. Further, it forbids Danish soldiers from obeying any orders given by authorities who have been captured or rendered incapacitated by an adversary.
Current Stance of Denmark and NATO Regarding Greenland
Denmark’s Defence Ministry and Defence Command have publicly confirmed that Copenhagen’s military forces are prepared to defend Greenland against any invasion, including that by the United States. This stance underscores the legal obligation stemming from the 1952 decree, which remains in force today, to resist armed attempts to acquire Greenland.
This development emerges amid renewed tensions, as the White House recently reiterated that acquiring Greenland remains a “national security priority” and suggested that the US military could be employed if necessary. The statement appeared shortly after multiple European nations — France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Denmark — urged Washington to respect Greenland’s sovereignty and warned against any violation.
International Responses and Geopolitical Implications
European nations, including France, expressed skepticism about the possibility of the United States violating Greenland’s sovereignty. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that he could not envision a scenario in which the US would breach the island’s independence. On the diplomatic front, France is actively collaborating with Germany and Poland to develop contingency plans should the US proceed with its threats, according to statements by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed a more diplomatic approach, indicating that Washington would prefer to purchase Greenland rather than seize it by force. This perspective aligns with the existing 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the United States, which grants the US extensive access to military facilities in Greenland. During the Cold War, the US operated up to fifty bases and radar stations on the island; today, only the Pituffik Space Base remains, hosting roughly 150 US personnel.
Despite ongoing tensions, there are ongoing discussions about Greenland’s future. An independent Greenland with strong economic ties to the US could serve American interests, according to some diplomatic sources, but the possibility of annexation remains a sensitive and complex issue in transatlantic relations.
