Denmark News pulse: Updates on happenings in Denmark on a typical Wednesday
Denmark Newsflash: Vance's Trip to Greenland Ups Tension
Let's dive into today's buzzing news from Denmark!
Views to Heat Up as Vance Lands in Greenland
Vice President JD Vance touches down in Greenland's Pituffik Space Base tomorrow, stirring the pot between the autonomous Danish territory and the U.S. Trump wants to take over.
This visit escalates tensions, with Vance becoming Trump's foreign policy attack dog. He'll attend Pituffik to discuss Arctic security issues and meet with US servicemembers.
This announcement came right after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen slammed the second lady's planned visit, accusing it of putting undue pressure on Greenland and Denmark. Seems like a bitter disagreement is brewing!
Vance responded: "My wife Usha was having such a great time on her visit to Greenland that I couldn't let her have all the fun alone, so I'm tagging along. Brace yourselves, Greenland!"
Frederiksen Slams Vance Visit
Mette Frederiksen later denounced Vance's announcement, branding the pressure put on both Greenland and Denmark as unacceptable. The visits, presented as private, have sparked anger among Danish and Greenlandic politicians.
"You can't have a private visit with official representatives of another country," Frederiksen declared.
The drama unfolds at a challenging time for Greenland, with parties still negotiating to form a new coalition government after the March 11 general election.
"This is not a visit that is about what Greenland needs or wants," Frederiksen stated before Vance announced his visit. "The pressure put on Greenland and Denmark in this situation is unacceptable, and we'll resist it."
Dog Sled Race Invite Rewind
Remember the dog sled race invitation to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth? Newly disclosed public records show the organiser of the event, Mikkel Jeremiassen, invited Hegseth on February 16th. Jeremiassen's organisation, Kalaallit Nunaanni Qimussertartut Kattuffia, admitted receiving financial support from the U.S.
Although Hegseth wasn't part of the delegation, plans for him to attend the dog sled race had originally been part of the overall visit. However, it's now been axed from the agenda, leaving only the Pituffik base on the itinerary.
More for the Girls: Military Service Update
Denmark's Ministry of Defence announced it will move up women's mandatory military service from 2027 to 2025. Women who reach 18 after July 1st, 2025, might find themselves in the army through annual ballots. The decision aims to address the current defense and security policy situation, seeking more recruits for the armed forces.
Let's keep the conversation going! Head to the comments section below to share your thoughts. Questions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Stay engaged:
- Proportion of foreign nationals in Denmark in the long term
- Buses replacing trains on commuter route north of Copenhagen
- Head of US base in Greenland fired for criticizing Vance visit
- Optional yellow health insurance card in Denmark
- The upcoming visit of Vice President JD Vance to Greenland's Pituffik Space Base could lead to increased tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland, as Vance is positioning himself as Trump's foreign policy attack dog.
- The news of Vance's visit has sparked controversy, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen slamming it as putting undue pressure on Greenland and Denmark. She has declared that a visit with official representatives of another country cannot be considered private.
- Despite initial plans for US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to attend a dog sled race in Greenland, which would have made him part of the overall visit, Hegseth is no longer on the agenda, with only the Pituffik base on the itinerary.
- In a move aimed at addressing the current defense and security policy situation, Denmark's Ministry of Defence has announced it will move up women's mandatory military service from 2027 to 2025.
- There has been ongoing negotiation to form a new coalition government in Greenland, adding to the complexity of the current political landscape as Vance prepares to touch down in Greenland.
- In light of the escalating political tensions, it seems that Greenland's Arctic region will be a hotbed of news, with space, art, travel, and politics all intertwined in the general news this week.
