The U.S. Vice President criticized European countries and Denmark for not adequately protecting Greenland, while emphasizing the island's importance for regional security.
On 8 Jan 2026 GMT+7, U.S. Vice President JD Vance reiterated that Greenland is critically important for the defense of the United States and the world against potential missile attacks from Russia or China. He also stated that Europe and Denmark have not performed well in maintaining security in the area.
Vance told Fox News that Europe and Denmark not only invest too little in defending Greenland but have also failed to acknowledge President Donald Trump’s arguments on the matter.
The White House said on Wednesday that U.S. officials are "seriously" discussing a proposal to purchase Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, following a recent comment that using military force to annex Greenland by the U.S. is also an option.
Denmark, a NATO member alongside the U.S., warned that military seizure of Greenland would mean the end of the NATO alliance. Meanwhile, both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have repeatedly emphasized that the island "is not for sale."
Greenland is located between North America and the Arctic, making it ideal for early warning systems against missile attacks and for monitoring ships in the region.
The U.S. has over 100 permanent military personnel stationed at the Pituffik base in northwestern Greenland, a base established since World War II. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the U.S. has the authority to deploy as many troops to Greenland as needed.
Recently, Greenland's natural resources—including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron—have attracted increasing international attention due to easier access caused by Arctic ice melting from climate change. Scientists also believe the island may hold vast oil and gas reserves.
"People do not realize that much of the missile defense infrastructure depends on Greenland," Vance said. "If someone launches a nuclear missile at our continent or at Europe, Greenland is a crucial part of that missile defense."
"So you have to ask yourself, 'Have Europe and Denmark done their part in securing Greenland and ensuring it continues to serve as a pillar for global security and missile defense?' The answer is clearly no."
Concerns about Greenland’s future resurfaced following a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, where special forces raided and captured President Nicolás Maduro to bring him to trial in New York on drug and weapons charges.
Trump had previously proposed buying Greenland in 2019 during his first presidential term but was told the island was not for sale.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he plans to hold discussions with Denmark next week.
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Source:bbc