Greenland Prime Minister: Must be prepared for everything

Albin Almqvist

Updated 16.16 | Published 15.40

 

Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Scanpix Denmark

The Greenland government does not believe that the US will resort to military means against the island.

But it does not want to rule it out either.

– We must be prepared for everything, says Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

At a press conference from the capital Nuuk, the Prime Minister addresses the pressure from the US.

There he emphasizes that Greenland will continue to belong to Denmark, and that Greenland has a “good dialogue” with the EU and other allies.

 

The Minister of Finance during the press conference. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Scanpix Denmark

– We are continuing to work on how to strengthen cooperation, says Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Then Nielsen gets to the burning question: whether the US could use military pressure against Greenland.

– The leader on the other side (US Donald Trump) has said very clearly that it is not out of the question, and we should of course be prepared for all possible scenarios, is the Prime Minister's response.

 

Donald Trump. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson /AP

Former Prime Minister Muté B. Egede also speaks at the press conference.

– Everyone in society is emotionally affected right now, he says.

– It is a very tough time for Greenland, he continues.

 

Danish military in Greenland. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Scanpix Denmark

He also believes that it is "unlikely" that the US will use military means to pressure Greenland.

At the same time, he emphasizes that Greenland must assume that anything can happen:

– Even though it sounds unlikely, we will be prepared for anything that can happen.

 

Nuuk. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Scanpix Denmark