Copenhagen, Mar. 25, (dpa/GNA) – The Greenland government on Tuesday denied a claim made by US President Donald Trump that a US group including Usha Vance, the wife the Vice President JD Vance, had been invited to visit the island.
The government of the autonomous Danish territory denied issuing either a private or an official invitation in a post on Facebook. It noted that it was a caretaker government awaiting the formation of a new coalition and called on all countries to respect this.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Trump said an invitation had been issued, without stipulating by whom. The visit, which is due to start on Thursday, was a gesture of friendliness, he said.
According to the White House, Usha Vance is to travel to Greenland along with her son and others to visit historic sites and attend a traditional dog-sledding race. The aim is to gain greater knowledge of the territory’s traditions and history.
Media reports said that US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz would be part of the group.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told broadcaster DR that the visit was not something that Greenland wanted or needed.
She said the territory and Denmark itself were under unacceptable pressure. “This is a pressure that we will withstand,” Frederiksen told the national public broadcaster.
Trump has repeatedly called for US control of Greenland for reasons of national and international security. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Junior, visited Nuuk, the island’s capital in January, drawing media attention.
GNA
PDC