Denmark’s Arctic Command head says no Chinese or Russian vessels are near Greenland, contradicting US claims, and invites US to join exercises.
NUUK: The head of Denmark’s military Joint Arctic Command said there are no Chinese or Russian ships observed near Greenland.
Major General Soren Andersen’s statement contradicts repeated claims by US President Donald Trump regarding the island’s security.
“We don’t see any Russian or Chinese vessels around Greenland,” Andersen told Reuters.
ALSO READ: White House says European troops in Greenland won’t sway Trump’s acquisition goal
He confirmed Chinese and Russian vessels are in the Arctic Ocean but not near Greenland.
Andersen spoke on board a Danish warship in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
He said he had extended an invitation for the United States to join exercises planned on the island this year.
“We had a meeting today with a lot of NATO partners including the U.S. and invited them to participate in this exercise,” said Andersen.
When asked if the Americans will join, the general replied “I don’t know that yet.”
Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command enforces sovereignty and conducts surveillance across Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The command uses patrol vessels, aircraft, helicopters and satellite-based monitoring.
Headquartered in Nuuk, it also fields Greenland’s Sirius dog-sled patrol for long-range land operations.
It maintains about 150 staff across command, logistics and fixed Arctic stations.
Trump says Greenland is vital to US security and has not ruled out the use of force to take it.
European nations this week sent small numbers of military personnel to the island at Denmark’s request.
Responding to Trump’s criticism, Copenhagen last year announced a 42 billion Danish crowns Arctic defence package. – Reuters
