The US Vice-President, JD Vance, and his wife Usha, are set to visit Greenland in a scaled-down trip following the original plans for their visit, which caused an international diplomatic controversy. The visit to Pituffik, a remote US military base in northwestern Greenland, will be closely monitored by leaders in Nuuk and Copenhagen, who have voiced their opposition to the trip due to ongoing threats from Donald Trump to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. A government source in Copenhagen expressed their preference for Vance not to visit Greenland.

Before the Vances’ arrival, Trump stated that the US will “go as far as we have to go” to gain control of Greenland, citing national and international security concerns. The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, strongly responded to Trump’s comments, emphasizing that Greenland is a part of the Danish kingdom and that it will not change. She also expressed a desire for collaboration with the US on defense and security matters, but emphasized that Greenland belongs to its people.

Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, stated that Vance will not be welcomed by Danish politicians at Pituffik, as the visit is solely related to his own US military installation in Greenland. The visit comes as political parties in Greenland are about to sign a coalition agreement in a display of unity following recent elections. The original delegation, led by Second Lady Usha Vance, was scheduled to visit Nuuk and Sisimiut for a dog sled race. However, due to strong opposition from Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte B Egede, and Frederiksen, the White House revised the itinerary to a single stop at Pituffik.

The White House has provided few details of the planned activities, but it is expected to be a traditional troop visit. Denmark’s Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, criticized Trump’s comments as “far out” and a “hidden threat,” calling for respect for Greenland’s self-determination. The Naleraq party leader, Pele Broberg, expressed disappointment, considering the diplomatic disagreements as a missed opportunity.

In Russia, Vladimir Putin addressed an Arctic forum, stating that he considered the US plans to acquire Greenland as “serious” with historical roots.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/jd-vance-greenland-visit-diplomatic-row