The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have reached an agreement that enhances U.S. security responsibilities in Greenland without transferring sovereignty or territory to the United States. The deal, expected to be signed this week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, aims to resolve a diplomatic dispute that began with former President Donald Trump’s public attempt to purchase the Arctic island and warned of military action.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that the pact acknowledges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Danish kingdom and respects Greenland’s right to self-determination. This marks a significant departure from Trump’s earlier stance, which included overtures to acquire or politically control Greenland, a move rejected by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

Trump announced the agreement on social media, stating it grants the U.S. permanent control over security matters in Greenland, including the ability to block adversaries from establishing bases or sensitive investments on the island. He also said the U.S. would immediately begin expanding its military presence there, working alongside Greenlanders to develop facilities, asserting the initiative would come at no cost to the United States.

Analysts note that many elements of the new agreement resemble existing arrangements under a 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense pact, which allows the U.S. to station forces in Greenland with some consultation requirements. The Cold War-era agreement, updated in 2004 and still in effect, currently permits the U.S. to maintain military installations such as the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base). According to experts, the new pact appears to solidify U.S. security roles on a permanent basis, independently of NATO’s existence, as well as introduce new provisions that could give the U.S. veto power over foreign military presence and sensitive economic investments in Greenland—although Denmark’s government has not acknowledged the latter.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the accord as recognizing Greenland’s interests and its role in international cooperation. The semiautonomous territory remains within the Danish kingdom, and while full details of the agreement are pending, Denmark’s parliament is expected to approve it. Senior Danish researchers highlight a political desire to resolve the dispute swiftly, restoring trust between Denmark and the United States following years of tension.

Relations between Washington and Copenhagen soured following Trump’s repeated pressure to acquire Greenland, including his January 2026 refusal to rule out military action, which prompted Denmark and other NATO allies to deploy troops to the island as a deterrent. According to reports, these forces were equipped with live ammunition and prepared to destroy airport runways to prevent any unauthorized U.S. military landings.

The confrontation eased after Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, agreeing on the framework for the current deal. Since then, officials from all three parties have held working group consultations to formalize the agreement.

NATO officials, including Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, welcomed the development, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to maintaining control and security in the Arctic region, which remains a strategic priority amid global geopolitical competition.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed optimism about the agreement, hoping it will mark an end to years of uncertainty and contribute to strengthened security cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic within the NATO framework, while upholding Denmark’s core principles regarding Greenland’s sovereignty.