- Dr. Fatalski emphasizes that Greenland's importance for U.S. safety was expressed in planet War II and in the Cold War
- The 3rd Reich was curious in this land, which was effectively countered by the Americans
- The position on the map is not all. Greenland's mineral possible is believed to be enormous, and this surely increases the value of this natural land in terms of surviving conditions
- When talking about Greenland, we must not overlook environmental issues. Prof. UJ Szymon Drobniak from the Institute for Environmental Sciences reminds why Greenland is absolutely unique
- "Grenland. Between Trump and Putin". See the study by Bartosz Węgielczyk and Sławomir Sierakowski
- The material was created as part of the Firepoints cycle. It was first published in January

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Donald Trump wants Greenland for the US. He did not regulation out military force
The subject of Greenland in statements by US president Donald Trump appears regularly. On the first day after the inauguration of the presidency, while signing orders at the White home Oval Office, he said The United States must control Greenlandto guarantee global security.
A fewer days ago again threatened to usage force to annex Greenland. In a fresh NBC News interview, he admitted that he "does not say that he will, but does not regulation anything out". This is the latest commentary policy on taking control of the island that the United States is expected to request for national safety purposes.
Two reasons Trump needs Greenland
“The subject of Greenland appeared with Donald Trump as early as 2019,” recalled Andrzej Kohut, American and East Studies Center expert. “The reason was Chinese interest in this island, which in turn alarmed the Americans. They received them as interfering in their surroundings and threatening their safety. Then came the first proposal to buy Greenland, which Trump then issued. Now he goes back to this idea, referring to 2 aspects, namely the safety and natural resources that are in Greenland,” explained Onet an expert in January.

Arctic routes and military facilities
As Dr. Marcin Fatalski, an American from the Jagiellonian University, explained, The importance of Greenland to US security has been expressed already during planet War II and during the Cold War. — This is the most crucial land between North America and Europe, over which control affects the safety of the US. It can be a basis for action against both the US and Europe. After all, the 3rd Reich was curious in this land, which was effectively countered by the Americans. The island is besides of large importance in relation to the European theatre of war activities and possible U.S. military assistance to European allies, explains the expert.
“The U.S. offered Denmark a transaction that included Greenland as early as Harry Truman’s presidency, i.e. in the early Cold War period, which is the best proof of the strategical importance of the island in fresh history. This is not a mention to the territorial improvement of the United States in the era of empires (XIX century), erstwhile the acquisition of fresh territories was inscribed in the rivalry of powers. Although the acquisition of Greenland would be of immense importance to the historical memory of the president of the United States, which could lead to this, Dr. Fatalski added.
Who decides Greenland? Possible scenarios
Prime Minister of Greenland Mute Egede, which intensified the drive for independence, repeatedly said that the island is not for sale and that it is the inhabitants (now surviving there about 57,000 people) who decide their future. "We do not accept repeated statements about Greenland's acquisition and control," wrote the heads of all 5 parties in the Greenland Parliament in a joint message in March.
After the inauguration of Trump's presidency, the planet wondered whether, given the U.S. President's verbal intentions, any form of aggression on the part of the U.S.?— I wouldn't anticipate an invasion of Greenland. On the another hand, I presume there may be a renegotiation with the Danes about the American presence in Greenland, including the military presence. Denmark has sent a message to the United States that, of course, the acquisition of Greenland is not an option, but any another issues can be discussed. So I think this is the first possible scenario: Americans will be even more present in Greenland, possibly supporting any mining projects,” considered Andrzej Kohut in January.
“The second script that has been discussed in the United States is that of Greenland declaring its independence. Denmark has already allowed respective years ago that Greenland may declare it if it is the will of its people,” she adds.

Real size Greenland
— Then this independent Greenland could associate with the United States a small bit on a akin basis as the Marshall Islands, for example, by signing a contract. specified a script would give the United States the chance to usage Greenland for safety purposes, or even tighter coverage of the island with its safety umbrella. However, Greenland’s might have any financial support from the United States. However, I think it is more likely that there is simply a script in which there are just further concessions from Denmark, possibly a greater presence of Americans on the island,” explains an OSW expert.
Dr. Marcin Fatalski is not amazed by Trump's advances towards Greenland. “The world’s opinion is amazed and sometimes outraged, as Donald Trump puts it so openly. However, if we ignore the rhetoric that is characteristic of this policy and possibly besides serves to strengthen its position in the electorate, we are dealing with an article about the U.S. efforts to halt China’s expansion of influence and safeguard its own safety and economical interests,” he explains.
“Rhetory is 1 thing, and real politics, especially between allies, are also thing. In the close future, I do not anticipate Greenland to change its status, although it may, with the consent of Copenhagen, strengthening American presence on the island “said Dr. Fatalski.
The European Union and Greenland. It's complicated.
It is worth reminding that the USA, China and Russia are not the only players looking towards Greenland. The European Union is surely besides curious in joining its structures. And it would not be the first time Greenland would have been part of an organization European framework.
Greenland, as part of Denmark, joined the European economical Community (EU predecessor) in 1973. The Grenlanders themselves were not pleased with this. A year earlier in the referendum, they voted against, but being part of Dani, who enthusiastically spoke of the EEC, had no choice.
In 1979, the Danish Parliament granted Greenland autonomy. Time did not destruct resentment towards EU structures. In 1982, another referendum was held in Greenland and one more time the residents voted "no" in the majority (52%). Negotiations with the EEC continued until the end of 1985, ending in divorce with the organisation.
However, this was not a complete chapter. The Greenland Treaty, signaling the end of EU membership, called for "the close and lasting relation between the European economical Community and Greenland and to take account of common interests, in peculiar Greenland's improvement needs".
The subject of Greenland's accession to the EU comes back from time to time. Although in 2021 60% of residents would vote against joining the European Union if they were faced with specified a choice in a referendum, there have been major changes in the way islanders approach to the EU over the last fewer years. In last year's survey 60% of residents would vote this time to join EU structures.
It is worth noting that in January in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag” erstwhile Austrian chief of staff Robert Brieger announced that "European Union troops may be stationed in Greenland in the future". As the Austrian commander pointed out, Greenland is highly geopolitical, as well as from a safety policy perspective.
Geopolitics is 1 thing. What's with the natural materials?
Greenland's mineral possible is considered tremendous and this surely increases the value of this natural land in terms of surviving conditions. “ Gold and rubies are now being mined there. Chinese companies besides exploit uncommon earth deposits (although EU pressures to introduce restrictions on this activity). Since 2021, the search for fresh deposits of gas and oil has been banned in Greenland, arguing with besides advanced environmental costs,” says Prof. UJ Szymon Drobniak of the Institute of Environmental Sciences.
— If Greenland’s resources were made available to outside companies, the island would be industrialised very quickly. It has rich deposits of aluminium, nickel, uranium, titanium, tungsten or platinum. Their attractiveness is due to the comparatively large concentration of metals in their ores and is constantly expanding with the increase in prices of these natural materials on the planet stock exchanges,” adds the expert.

Map of treasures of Greenland
Prof. Drobniak stresses that over-exploitation of deposits in Greenland can at least be risky, unless it is dangerous for this region.
— There is simply a hazard of losing control of the island over its resources and the progressive "leakage" of capital being taken down by possible extractors; throwing the island into polarized global policies — the island would become an inflammatory point, which would surely lead to economical aspects of its functioning; the hard to foretell consequences that an intensive mining economy would have for Greenlandic nature. Greenland's ecosystems are in an highly dangerous position anyway: their future appears in highly dark colors due to the inevitable melting of Greenland's landlock and the impact it will have on the associated organisms. Adding force to mining companies could mean almost complete demolition of this unique place on Earth – warns the scientist.
Greenland’s unique ecosystem
When we talk about Greenland, we focus powerfully on geopolitical aspects or on the region's mineral and another crucial resources. But 1 of the key factors should be also the question of nature or climate. Greenland is the largest island in the world, which is not a continent. Its area is about 2.16 million km2. The ecosystem of the island is unique.
— Arctic ecosystems occur, for apparent reasons, in a very limited area. This means that they are home to unique species of plants, animals or microorganisms. Many of them are inactive very small known — especially those invisible to the bare eye. The demolition of Greenland's ecosystems would mean the failure of that part of Earth's biodiversity, which we have possibly not even described yet," says prof. Szymon Drobniak.
We asked the student if Greenland is circumstantial The climate change litmus paper we're seeing on our planet.
— It has slow become one, especially since the last 10-20 years, erstwhile climate change has dramatically accelerated. As 1 of the largest landlocks on Earth, Greenland reacts very powerfully and seemingly to climate change, he explains and adds that “in the context of life itself, ecological niches that are not yet available due to ice deposits are abruptly becoming viable, which, on the 1 hand, provokes the shifting scope of the species present in Greenland and, on the another hand, exposes abandoned habitats to the arrival of alien species”.
Interestingly, as Prof. Drobniak points out, “Grenland — due to its thick ice cover — has until late been alternatively ignored. It was known that its rocks hide valuable natural resources, but their exploitation was simply logistically and financially difficult."
“The simplification of the ice sheet now leads to the progressive unveiling of frozen areas until recently. Greenland abruptly becomes a tasty bite, especially due to its possible mineral wealth. But allowing specified movements on the island would have disastrous consequences. On the 1 hand, it would destruct its current ecosystems, on the another hand, it would make it impossible to decently research the exposed sites and their secrets (e.g. their unique communities of microorganisms, which may be applicable in the carbon circulation on our warming planet).