How did Denmark respond to Trump's announcement of an agreement regarding Greenland with the U.S.?

- The office of the Danish Prime Minister announced in a statement that the United States, Greenland, and Denmark are expected to sign an agreement on "enhancing security in the Arctic and North Atlantic" next week during the United Nations General Assembly meetings. This came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that an agreement had been reached with Denmark granting the United States "permanent control over security and all other needs" in Greenland.

Mette Frederiksen said: "I am pleased that we are about to conclude a great agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States," adding that the agreement will be "wonderful for NATO and Europe as well." She noted that the agreement "recognizes the sovereignty of the Kingdom and its territorial integrity, and the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination."

For its part, NATO stated that it will continue to play a role in enhancing Arctic security, an area it considers essential for the alliance's collective security. Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said that "the agreement takes into account Greenland's interests and our position in international cooperation," adding: "It serves the interests of all of us."

The signed agreement still needs to complete the necessary parliamentary procedures. An American official mentioned that the agreement grants the United States "permanent rights of access, stationing, and airspace over the island."

The American official pointed out that "under the previous situation, any country - including adversaries - could have been allowed to build a military base in Greenland or send troops there," adding that the agreement ensures "the necessary mechanisms to prevent investment in sensitive sectors." Russia has expanded its military presence in the Arctic over the decades, and China has also strengthened its presence there.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a statement that the agreement "permanently and comprehensively addresses our national security concerns in Greenland." Trump said on his platform "Truth Social": "I am pleased to announce that the United States has reached an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland, granting the United States permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland, fully addressing all of our numerous American concerns, and the United States will incur no cost."

Trump added: "We will immediately begin the process of developing a significant military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland - and there are many suitable parts for that - and we will work with the people of Greenland in the development and construction processes. This solution is fantastic for the United States, Denmark, Greenland, and all our allies. We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland towards an amazing future regarding this large and strategically important piece of land."

President Trump has repeatedly emphasized earlier this year the importance of the United States acquiring Greenland for national security purposes, but the discussion around this issue has largely faded from public opinion in recent months. Trump's repeated demands for the acquisition of Greenland sparked a diplomatic crisis within NATO, prompting efforts to defuse the threat.

The United States has operated the Thule Air Base in northwest Greenland since signing the island's defense treaty in 1951. The military base supports missile warning operations, missile defense, and space surveillance for the benefit of the United States and NATO.