Morning opening: You’re (not) welcome here
In typical circumstances, a visit from a US vice-president would be eagerly anticipated by numerous allied nations as a strong indication of solidarity with Washington.
However, those days are gone. When JD Vance arrives at Pituffik space base in Greenland this afternoon, there will be no Danish officials present to greet him, and they have made it clear that he is not welcome there, at least not beyond the US base.
People take part in a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on 15 March 2025. Photograph: Christian Klindt Soelbeck/EPA
Yet, these are far from ordinary times, and it’s clear why Danish politicians are less enthused about the increasingly overt threats from the US regarding its intentions to take control of Greenland – even against the will of its residents.
This signifies a significant departure from the previously strong alliance between Denmark and the US, as Copenhagen now finds itself in the bizarre position of needing to defend a segment of its nation – which has clearly expressed no desire to become part of the US – from an increasingly bold US administration.
Earlier this week, US president Donald Trump remarked:
“It’s an island that from a defensive posture, and even offensive posture, is something we need, especially with the world the way it is, and we’re going to have to have it.”
“So, I think we’ll go as far as we have to go. We need Greenland and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.”
These declarations will undoubtedly influence the perception of today’s visit in Europe. A source from the Danish government stated in today’s Berlingske that there are concerns Denmark could find itself experiencing a scenario akin to “the Crimea script,” referencing the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“For Denmark, this is the largest foreign policy crisis since World War II,” said Jon Rahbek Clemmensen, Head of Research at the Royal Danish Defence College’s Center for Arctic Security Studies, during an interview with TV2.
Many details about the visit remain uncertain – limited options exist in one of the most secluded locations worldwide – but concerns in Copenhagen revolve around the fear that Vance might seize this opportunity to advocate for US claims to Greenland. He has a history of delivering provocative speeches in Europe.
Regardless of earlier reports, the US vice-president may be accompanied by senior officials, including national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright, underscoring the unusually high profile of the visit.
We’ll have to wait and see.
Additionally, it’s likely no coincidence that on this very day, four of the five factions in the new Greenlandic parliament – with the exception of the pro-independence, pro-US Naleraq – are set to declare the formation of a new government, just hours before Vance arrives on the island.
I will keep you updated with all key developments throughout the day, along with stories from France, Germany, and other regions across Europe.
It’s Friday, 28 March 2025, and this is Europe live. It’s Jakub Krupa reporting.
Good morning.
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‘Welcome to the top of the world’ – location
Miranda Bryant
A view of Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in Greenland in 2023. Photograph: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters
When JD Vance and his team arrive at Pituffik space base in Greenland on Friday, they will hear the greeting: “Welcome to the top of the world.”
Greenland locator
As the northernmost military base of the US – and the only one on the immense Arctic island – it is considered one of the most isolated places globally.
For nine months of the year, the base (previously known as Thule air base) in northwestern Greenland is frozen in ice, but it can be accessed by aircraft year-round. There are three months of darkness each year.
This pivotal site, located approximately 932 miles (1,500km) from Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and 750 miles (1,207km) north of the Arctic Circle, is critical for US missile detection.
Equipped with a modern early warning radar system capable of detecting ballistic missiles, the base also keeps an eye on space debris from defunct satellites and hosts the world’s northernmost deep-water port.
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JD Vance to face frosty reception in Greenland – analysis
Miranda Bryant
Danish, Greenlandic and US flags fly at the Danish armed forces’ Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland. Photograph: Leonhard Föger/Reuters
The forthcoming visit to Pituffik, an isolated, ice-locked US military facility in northwestern Greenland, is expected to be meticulously monitored by leaders in Nuuk and Copenhagen, who have expressed their disapproval of the visit amidst ongoing threats from Donald Trump regarding the acquisition of Greenland, a semi-autonomous segment of Denmark.
“It’s safe to say we would prefer not to have him [Vance] in Greenland,” a source from the Copenhagen government commented.
The sentiment in Copenhagen is one of concern. On Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated: “Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom. That is not going to change.”
Additionally, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s foreign affairs minister, remarked that Vance will not be welcomed by Danish officials at Pituffik since “it has nothing to do with us.”
“This visit is about an American vice-president coming to his own military facility in Greenland. It does not concern us,” he added.
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Morning opening: You’re (not) welcome here
In typical circumstances, a visit from a US vice-president would be eagerly anticipated by numerous allied nations as a strong indication of solidarity with Washington.
However, those days are gone. When JD Vance arrives at Pituffik space base in Greenland this afternoon, there will be no Danish officials present to greet him, and they have made it clear that he is not welcome there, at least not beyond the US base.
People take part in a demonstration in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on 15 March 2025. Photograph: Christian Klindt Soelbeck/EPA
Nonetheless, these are exceptional times, and it’s understandable why Danish politicians are not pleased about the increasingly overt threats from the US regarding its intentions to take control of Greenland – even against the will of its inhabitants.
This situation signifies a significant departure from the previously strong alliance between Denmark and the US, as Copenhagen finds itself needing to defend a part of its territory – which has consistently shown no desire to align with the US – against an increasingly confrontational US administration.
Earlier this week, US president Donald Trump commented:
“It’s an island that from a defensive posture, and even offensive posture, is something we need, especially with the world the way it is, and we’re going to have to have it.”
“So, I think we’ll go as far as we have to go. We need Greenland and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.”
These statements will unquestionably shape the reception of today’s visit in Europe. A source from the Danish government stated in today’s Berlingske that there are concerns Denmark might experience something akin to “the Crimea script,” referencing the illegal Russian seizure of Crimea in 2014.
“For Denmark, this represents the most significant foreign policy crisis since World War II,” asserted Jon Rahbek Clemmensen, Head of Research at the Center for Arctic Security Studies of the Royal Danish Defence College, in an interview with TV2.
Still, numerous uncertainties surround the visit’s itinerary – there are limited activities in one of the world’s most secluded regions – but Copenhagen specifically fears that Vance may utilize the trip to voice support for US claims to Greenland, given his history of provocative speeches throughout Europe.
Despite previous reports, it seems that the US vice-president may be accompanied by senior figures, including national security adviser Mike Waltz and energy secretary Chris Wright, which underscores the unusually high-profile nature of the visit.
We shall see.
Moreover, it is likely not a coincidence that today marks the announcement by four of the five parties in the newly formed Greenlandic parliament – all except the pro-independence, pro-American Naleraq – regarding their plans to establish a new government, just hours ahead of Vance’s arrival on the island.
I will provide continuous updates on all key developments throughout the day and share stories from France, Germany, and various regions of Europe.
It’s Friday, 28 March 2025, and you’re tuned in to Europe live. This is Jakub Krupa.
Good morning.
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