Denmark does not ‘appreciate the tone’ of Greenland’s comments, the Minister said

London – Denmark was open to discussions with the US on how to “improve” the status quo in Greenland, the country’s foreign minister said, after Vice President JD Vance accused Copenhagen of failing to protect Arktik Island adequately during a controversial visit on Friday.

In a post for X addressed to Denmark “American friends” Friday night, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that his nation agreed that “status quo” at the North Pole “was not an option.”

“So let’s talk about how we can fix it – together,” Rasmussen wrote.

In a video statement, Rasmussen acknowledged “many accusations and many accusations” about Greenland. “Of course, we are open to criticism, but allow me to be really honest – we don’t appreciate the tone delivered.”

“This is not how you talk to your close allies,” continued Rasmussen, “and I still consider Denmark and the United States as close allies.”

Denmark and Greenland leaders have pushed back Trump’s desire to get control over Greenland. They simultaneously criticized the outreach he felt while trying to relieve tension by proposing a deeper military and economic cooperation on the Arctic mainland.

“We appreciate that the United States needs a greater military presence in Greenland, as mentioned by Vice President Vance tonight. We – Denmark and Greenland – are very open to discuss this with you,” Rasmussen said in his statement.

The existing bilateral defense agreement – signed in 1951 – “offers many opportunities for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,” Rasmussen said. “If that’s what you want, then let’s discuss it.”

President Donald Trump has repeatedly – both in his first term and since returning to the office for the second – declaring his ambition to control the island. Rasmussen’s appeal for dialogue came shortly after Vance completed his visit to Greenland, which is an autonomous region in the Danish kingdom.

Speaking to members of American service at the US Pituffik space base on the northwest coast of Greenland, Vance said, “Well, the President said we must have Greenland. And I think we should be more serious about Greenland’s security.”

“We cannot ignore this place,” he continued. “We cannot ignore the wishes of the President.”

Vance said the Trump government “respected the determination of the own fate of the Greenland people,” but suggested that the island would be safer under the US security umbrella.

Greenland has been covered by Article 5 of the Collective Defense Clause that supports NATO, where Denmark and the US are members.

“Yes, the Greenland people will have their own determination,” Vance said. “We hope they choose to partner with the United States because we are the only countries on earth that will respect their sovereignty and respect their security – because their security is our security.”

Vance accused Denmark of failing to provide adequate security for “very aggressive attacks from Russia, from China and from other countries.”

“Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by Greenland people. You have underestimated the Greenland people, and you have underestimated this extraordinary and beautiful land security architecture that is filled with extraordinary people. It must change,” he said.

Rasmussen said that Denmark and the US had done too little at the North Pole since the end of the Cold War. “We all act on the assumption that the north pole is and must be a low voltage area, but at that time it has ended,” he said. “The status quo is not my choice.”

Trump has repeatedly stated his ambition to acquire Greenland, despite strong criticism from leaders in Greenland, Denmark and Europe. It seems that there is a little support among Greenland residents for his proposal. A January poll by Verian, assigned by Danish Beringske, showed that only 6% of Greenland residents supported being part of the US, with 9% doubtful.

The island is in a strategic position facing the north coast of Russia across the Arctic Ocean and nearly two shipping routes – northeast and northwest. Greenland is also considered a home for a large number of valuable mineral deposits. Both shipping and mineral routes are expected to be more easily accessible because the heating climate causes sea ice to go further.

“We must have Greenland. This is not the question: Do you think we can do it without it? We can’t,” Trump said at the Oval office on Friday. “If you see Greenland now, if you see the waterways, you have a Chinese and Russian ship in all places, and we will not be able to do that.”

“We do not rely on Denmark or other people to take care of the situation,” he added. “And we don’t talk about peace for the United States.”

“Greenland is very important for world peace – not us, peace throughout the world,” the President said. “And I think Denmark understands it. I think the European Union understands it. And if not, we must explain it to them.”

ABC News’ Hannah Demissie, Molly Nagle and Michelle Stoddart contributed to this report.