Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report

Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has announced that he will summon the US ambassador to discuss a concerning report about US spying activities in Greenland. This report has raised alarms, especially in light of President Donald Trump's previous comments about wanting to take control of the island. Rasmussen expressed his worries by stating, 'It worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends. ' The report suggests that US intelligence agencies have been instructed to focus on Greenland's independence movement and the potential extraction of valuable mineral resources from the island. Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, responded to the report by accusing the newspaper that published it of attempting to undermine President Trump by leaking classified information. While she did not outright deny the report, she criticized the newspaper for allegedly breaking the law and jeopardizing national security. During a meeting with EU ministers in Warsaw, Rasmussen described the report as 'somewhat disturbing. ' He indicated that the Danish government would be calling in the US acting ambassador for a discussion at the foreign ministry to confirm the information. He noted that the report has not been strongly denied by those who have spoken out, which adds to his concerns. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has refrained from commenting directly on the article but acknowledged that they have taken note of the US's interest in Greenland. They also mentioned that there is an increased threat of espionage against Denmark and Greenland due to international interest in the region. President Trump has made several statements about Greenland, including a recent interview where he mentioned that he has not ruled out using military force to seize the island. He stated, 'I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything. ' Trump believes that Greenland is crucial for international security and has expressed a desire to take control of the island. In a speech to Congress earlier this year, he told US lawmakers, 'one way or the other, we're going to get it. ' This has raised concerns among Danish officials, particularly after Vice-President JD Vance's visit to Greenland, which Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned as 'completely unacceptable pressure on Greenland. ' Former President Joe Biden also criticized Trump's comments about Greenland, stating, 'What the hell's going on here? What president ever talks like that? That's not who we are. ' He emphasized that the US should be focused on freedom and democracy rather than on taking control of other territories. Greenland, the largest island in the world, has been under Danish control for approximately 300 years. While the island has its own local government for domestic matters, decisions regarding foreign and defense policies are made in Copenhagen. The US has maintained a military presence in Greenland since World War Two and has a vested interest in the island's rare earth minerals. Polls indicate that many Greenlanders desire independence from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States.