Danish PM urges respect ahead of US delegation visit to Greenland

NUUK, Greenland - Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior US officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

"The visit from the United States cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made. In the Kingdom (of Denmark), we want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation that rests on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples," Frederiksen said in a written statement to Danish broadcaster DR.

The statement came after reports that US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance. The delegation will visit the cities of Nuuk and Sisimiut.

In a video message on Instagram, Vance said she was looking forward to visiting Greenland, and is especially excited to attend a dog sled race in Sisimiut.

However, Greenland's dog sledding association KNQK clarified in a statement that it had not invited any US delegation for the race.

The visit has sparked strong criticism among Greenlandic politicians. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit party, said the timing of the visit showed "a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population".

Mute Egede, Greenlandic prime minister and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, described the visit as "a clear provocation", particularly due to the involvement of a high-ranking US security official.