US Vice-President JD Vance Criticizes Europe's Approach to Greenland's Security

Sat Jan 10 2026 04:12:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent interview, US Vice-President JD Vance emphasized the critical role of Greenland in global defense strategies against threats from Russia and China, criticizing Denmark and Europe for their lack of investment in the territory's security.

US Vice-President JD Vance has condemned Denmark and Europe's efforts in securing Greenland, asserting its strategic importance for missile defense against potential threats from Russia and China. Despite Denmark's warnings and claims that Greenland is not for sale, Vance reiterated the necessity for military investments and partnerships in the region, amid ongoing discussions of US sovereignty over the territory.

US Vice-President JD Vance says Greenland is 'critical' for the defense of the US and the world against possible Russian or Chinese missile attacks - and that Europe and Denmark have 'not done a good job' in securing the area.

Vance told Fox News that they had not only under-invested in Greenland's defences but also failed to engage with President Donald Trump's argument over the issue.

US officials are 'actively' discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland - a semi-autonomous Danish territory - the White House said on Wednesday, a day after suggesting military action to annex it to the US was also an option.

Denmark, a fellow NATO member, has warned this would spell the end of the alliance.

Both Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly stressed the island is not for sale.

Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.

The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.

In recent years, there has also been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts due to climate change. Scientists think it could also have significant oil and gas reserves.

'People do not realise that the entire missile defense infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland,' Vance said in his interview on Wednesday. 'If God forbid the Russians and the Chinese - not saying they're going to - but if, God forbid, somebody launched a nuclear missile into our continent, they launched a nuclear missile at Europe, Greenland is a critical part of that missile defense.'

'So you ask yourself, 'have the Europeans, have the Danes done a proper job of securing Greenland and of making sure it can continue to serve as an anchor for world security and missile defense?' And the answer is obviously they haven't,' he said.

Concerns over the future of the territory resurfaced after Trump's use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its President Nicolás Maduro. Trump previously made an offer to buy the island in 2019, during his first presidential term, only to be told it was not for sale.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he would hold talks with Denmark next week. A day earlier, European leaders issued a joint statement rallying behind Denmark. 'Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,' the leaders said.