U.S. Embassy in Denmark to face Danish Foreign Minister's diplomatic reprimand over alleged spying activities.
Heads Up: US Amps Up Spy Game in Greenland, Ruffling Feathers in Denmark
Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has decided to call the US Ambassador to Denmark, following reports suggesting that Washington plans to escalate intelligence activities targeting Greenland.
The move is a response to a Wall Street Journal article published on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, which alleged that US intelligence agencies have been ordered to identify individuals in Greenland and Denmark who align with American strategic objectives for the Arctic island, anonymous sources claim.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed his concerns, stating, "I've read the article, and it really worries me—because we don't spy on friends." On his way to a meeting of foreign ministers in Warsaw, Poland, Rasmussen revealed that the ambassador will be summoned for a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen.
"This unsettling information needs to be clarified, and we want to make our stance clear. It's deeply concerning if the approach now includes gathering intelligence in Denmark and Greenland," Rasmussen added.
The reported escalation in US espionage activities has exacerbated strains in US-Danish relations, already tense since President Donald Trump publicly expressed his interest in purchasing Greenland—a proposal that sparked a political uproar in Denmark.
Rasmussen warned, "When good friends like the US toy with the idea of intelligence gathering and exerting influence, it can potentially weaken the unity of the kingdom and aim for Greenland's takeover." He asserted that he believes the US won't succeed in such efforts.
Denmark's domestic intelligence agency, PET, issued a statement on Wednesday stating that both Denmark and Greenland face an "elevated espionage threat and threat of foreign influence" due to escalating international focus on the region.
Greenland, previously a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953 and was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy while Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense.
Recent developments suggest that the US is aiming to increase its influence in Greenland, as espionage activities could lead to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Furthermore, Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic and its rich resources make it an attractive target for nations seeking geopolitical advantages. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how regional stability in the Arctic will be affected by these developments.
- The Foreign Minister of Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, is set to meet the US Ambassador to Denmark, following a call for clarification on reports of increased US espionage activities in Greenland.
- The Wall Street Journal published an article on May 7, 2025, alleging that the US has ordered its intelligence agencies to identify individuals in Greenland and Denmark who align with American strategic objectives.
- The reported espionage activities in Greenland have exacerbated strains in US-Danish relations, with Rasmussen warning that such actions could potentially weaken the unity of the kingdom and aim for Greenland's takeover.
- Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic and its rich resources make it an attractive target for nations seeking geopolitical advantages, including the US, which is reportedly aiming to increase its influence in Greenland.
