U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated today that the United States needs Greenland for international security and peace. He emphasized that the region is strategically significant due to the presence of Chinese and Russian ships, stating that Washington cannot leave it under the “care” of Denmark or any other country.

“We need Greenland. Mainly for international security, we must have Greenland,” Trump insisted once again while speaking to reporters at the White House.

“If you look at the sea routes, we have Chinese and Russian ships everywhere (…) we don’t rely on Denmark or anyone else to handle this situation,” he added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who had just arrived at the American base in Pituffik, northern Greenland, remarked that U.S. interest in Arctic security will continue to grow in the coming decades. His comments suggested that Trump would persist in his efforts to bring the island under U.S. control.

Vance Visits Pituffik Base, Comments on the Extreme Cold

Upon arriving at the remote U.S. military base—located 1,200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle—Vance greeted American soldiers stationed there and thanked them for their service.

“The president genuinely cares about Arctic security, as you all know, and this interest will only keep growing in the coming decades,” the vice president said.

However, he was caught off guard by the freezing temperatures, joking:
“It’s freezing here, and nobody warned me!”

His remark, made as the temperature hit -19°C, elicited laughter from those present.

Greenland’s Leaders See Visit as a Sign of Disrespect

The U.S. delegation also included Vance’s wife, Usha, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. However, their visit did not sit well with Greenlandic and Danish officials.

Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, criticized the trip, calling it a sign of “disrespect” toward the Greenlandic people. He urged the nation to stand united against “external pressures.”

Denmark’s King Frederik also issued a statement of support for Greenland, saying:
“We live in an alternate reality. But let there be no doubt—my love for Greenland and its people remains intact.”

Originally, the U.S. delegation had planned to attend a dog sled race with Vance’s wife and Waltz, despite not being invited by Greenlandic or Danish authorities. However, due to strong protests, the group ultimately decided to visit only the military base and avoid meeting with civilians.

Under the terms of the 1951 agreement, the U.S. has the right to visit the base whenever it wishes, provided that it informs both Greenland and Copenhagen.