A soldier from Greenland who served alongside US troops in Afghanistan has indirectly criticized President Donald Trump’s interest in taking control of the Danish territory. Soldier Salik Augustinussen cautioned against any US military action to invade Greenland, stating that it would be an attack on the comrades who fought together following the 9/11 attacks. Greenlandic soldiers, part of the Danish armed forces, were among the troops deployed to Afghanistan after the invocation of Article 5, obliging member nations to aid one another when attacked.
Denmark, a loyal ally to the US and NATO, invoked Article 5 only once during the 9/11 attacks, resulting in the loss of 43 Danish troops in Operation Enduring Freedom. Despite this history, Trump has threatened to invade Greenland, a part of the Danish kingdom, alleging that Denmark cannot safeguard the Arctic territory against potential threats from Russia and China.
Salik emphasized the solidarity between soldiers from Denmark and the US in combating shared enemies, recalling the joint efforts in Afghanistan post-9/11. He expressed concern that any military action by the US to invade Greenland would harm NATO allies, including Denmark, and undermine the longstanding partnerships formed in times of crisis. Trump’s ambitions to annex Greenland have faced criticism, even from within his political party, with reminders that existing agreements allow the US to station troops and access resources in Greenland.
Veteran Project Greenland, an organization supporting veterans in Greenland, highlighted the distress caused by the uncertainty surrounding the annexation discourse from the White House. The group emphasized that Greenland belongs to its people and criticized the lack of respect shown by the US towards international law and the Greenlandic population. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and that its future should be determined by its inhabitants. Recent polling indicates that only a small percentage of Greenlanders are in favor of joining the US, with the majority preferring to remain part of Denmark or to pursue independence.