White House: By what right does Denmark control Greenland?

Deputy Head of the US administration Stephen Miller questioned the legitimacy of Denmark's control over Greenland.

"The real question is, by what right did Denmark gain control of Greenland? What are their territorial claims based on? What is the basis for the fact that Greenland is a colony of Denmark? In order for the United States to ensure the security of the Arctic region, to protect the interests of NATO, obviously Greenland must be part of the United States," Miller said in an interview with CNN.

After the TV channel's request to exclude military actions for the annexation of the island, Miller said that Greenland is inhabited by 30 thousand people, so such actions would not be needed.

Miller's wife Katie posted on the social network X on January 4 an image with a map of Greenland, painted in the colors of the American flag, with the caption "soon" against the background of the US operation in Venezuela. In response, the Danish Ambassador to In Washington, Jesper Moller Sørensen recalled that Denmark and the United States are close allies. He stressed that in Copenhagen expects full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, commenting on the image, said that it spoke of disrespect, stressing that there was no reason to panic.

Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland should become part of the United States. He pointed out its strategic importance for national security and the protection of the "free world," including from China and Russia. Former Prime Minister of Greenland Mute Egede replied that the island is not for sale and will never be sold. At the same time, the American leader refused to promise not to use military force to establish control over Greenland.

Greenland was a colony of Denmark until 1953. It remains part of the kingdom, but in 2009 it gained autonomy with the possibility of self-government and independent choice in domestic politics.