Latest news with #LarsLokkeRasmussen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US shifting Greenland military oversight in ownership push
The Pentagon plans to move its oversight of Greenland from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, a switch that would bring the Denmark-aligned island closer to alignment with the United States. The change, first reported by Politico, comes as President Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in taking control of the autonomous territory, where the U.S. military houses a base. Trump on the campaign trail and after taking office has said the U.S. taking control Greenland is a national security issue. Shifting the responsibility for U.S. security interests in Greenland to Northcom, the military command that oversees America's homeland defense, would largely be symbolic but underscores Trump's focus on the territory. The move could come as soon as this week, a Defense Department official and two people familiar with the planning told Politico. The Pentagon did not return a request for comment from The Hill. Reports first emerged last month that the Trump administration was mulling the move as Greenland is part of the North American continent, even as it is associated with Europe politically and culturally given it is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Trump in his first term floated the notion of buying Greenland, but in his second term has doubled down on the idea. He has declined to rule out using military force in taking the island. 'I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything,' Trump said in a May 4 interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press.' 'We need Greenland very badly,' he added. 'Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of and we'll cherish them and all of that. But we need that for international security.' Trump's threats have frustrated and alarmed officials in Greenland and Denmark, who have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale. The switch of Greenland to Northcom, while leaving Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands under Eucom, is likely to further worry Copenhagen and European allies. One person familiar with the move told Politico the Danish government has not been formally briefed on the plan. Relations with Denmark have already been strained following a Wall Street Journal report early last month that the United States had ordered its intelligence agencies to step up its spying efforts on Greenland. The article prompted Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to 'call in' the U.S. acting ambassador to Denmark for talks, saying the report is 'somewhat disturbing' and 'worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends.' Northcom is mainly responsible for U.S. homeland security such as missions at the southern border, air and missile defense, and convening with Canada and Mexico on joint security issues. Proponents of moving Greenland under Northcom have argued the switch makes sense given the U.S. has long had a military presence on the island, Pituffik Space Base, and the island is far closer to North America than to Europe and the U.S. command center there. Greenland is also seen as a vital outpost in countering Russia and China in the Arctic as well as missile defense. Despite the push to acquire Greenland, the Trump administration's recent attempts to make inroads with its officials and residents have fallen flat. Vice President Vance in March visited Pituffik, where he urged the territory to 'cut a deal' with the U.S. government. Vance only briefly visited the base after plans for a larger trip were scrapped due to protests on the island and uproar from Greenland and Danish officials who said the vice president hadn't been formally invited and U.S. officials hadn't consulted them on his itinerary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
US shifting Greenland military oversight in ownership push
The Pentagon plans to move its oversight of Greenland from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, a switch that would bring the Denmark-aligned island closer to alignment with the United States. The change, first reported by Politico, comes as President Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in taking control of the autonomous territory, where the U.S. military houses a base. Trump on the campaign trail and after taking office has said the U.S. taking control Greenland is a national security issue. Shifting the responsibility for U.S. security interests in Greenland to Northcom, the military command that oversees America's homeland defense, would largely be symbolic but underscores Trump's focus on the territory. The move could come as soon as this week, a Defense Department official and two people familiar with the planning told Politico. The Pentagon did not return a request for comment from The Hill. Reports first emerged last month that the Trump administration was mulling the move as Greenland is part of the North American continent, even as it is associated with Europe politically and culturally given it is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Trump in his first term floated the notion of buying Greenland, but in his second term has doubled down on the idea. He has declined to rule out using military force in taking the island. 'I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything,' Trump said in a May 4 interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press.' 'We need Greenland very badly,' he added. 'Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of and we'll cherish them and all of that. But we need that for international security.' Trump's threats have frustrated and alarmed officials in Greenland and Denmark, who have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale. The switch of Greenland to Northcom, while leaving Denmark and the semi-autonomous Faroe Islands under Eucom, is likely to further worry Copenhagen and European allies. One person familiar with the move told Politico the Danish government has not been formally briefed on the plan. Relations with Denmark have already been strained following a Wall Street Journal report early last month that the United States had ordered its intelligence agencies to step up its spying efforts on Greenland. The article prompted Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen to 'call in' the U.S. acting ambassador to Denmark for talks, saying the report is 'somewhat disturbing' and 'worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends.' Northcom is mainly responsible for U.S. homeland security such as missions at the southern border, air and missile defense, and convening with Canada and Mexico on joint security issues. Proponents of moving Greenland under Northcom have argued the switch makes sense given the U.S. has long had a military presence on the island, Pituffik Space Base, and the island is far closer to North America than to Europe and the U.S. command center there. Greenland is also seen as a vital outpost in countering Russia and China in the Arctic as well as missile defense. Despite the push to acquire Greenland, the Trump administration's recent attempts to make inroads with its officials and residents have fallen flat. Vice President Vance in March visited Pituffik, where he urged the territory to 'cut a deal' with the U.S. government. Vance only briefly visited the base after plans for a larger trip were scrapped due to protests on the island and uproar from Greenland and Danish officials who said the vice president hadn't been formally invited and U.S. officials hadn't consulted them on his itinerary.
Russia Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
NATO nation trying to ‘bleed Russia dry'
Denmark is deliberately trying to prolong the Ukraine conflict and is working to obstruct meaningful peace efforts between Moscow and Kiev, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin has said. In an article published in Jyllands-Posten on Sunday, the senior diplomat accused Copenhagen of aligning itself with policies designed to 'bleed Russia dry' instead of supporting a lasting and fair settlement. Denmark has 'consistently pursued' a policy of prolonging the Ukraine conflict to the maximum, Barbin wrote, 'and invariably exhibits an allergic reaction to even timid hopes for peace.' The diplomat hit out at Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen for criticizing Moscow's recent proposal for direct peace talks with Kiev without preconditions. The ambassador described Rasmussen's stance as proof that Western nations are more interested in attempting to defeat Russia militarily than in supporting negotiations. The diplomat also slammed Copenhagen's public questioning of Russia's delegation to the Istanbul peace talks with Ukraine earlier this month. Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years on May 16. Both sides were represented by senior officials and diplomats. The parties agreed to stay in contact, carry out a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war swap – which has now been successfully completed – and to exchange draft ceasefire proposals. Barbin said Danish coverage of the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks portrayed it in a way that suggested Moscow was unwilling to pursue peace. He noted, however, that the Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, who had previously negotiated a draft peace agreement in 2022. 'Copenhagen's attempts to sow doubts about the Russian delegation's authority to make decisions were aimed at discrediting Moscow's direct dialogue with Kiev,' he added. Barbin warned that Denmark's continued promotion of military escalation and its bet on the possibility of beating Russia on the battlefield is a 'dangerous illusion' that risks triggering an 'uncontrolled expansion' of the conflict. Denmark has provided billions in military aid to Kiev since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Earlier this month, Copenhagen announced yet another package worth 4.2 billion kroner (approximately $618 million), focused on artillery munitions and set to run through 2028. Rasmussen has repeatedly called on the EU to boost its militarization efforts and continue arming Ukraine, citing an alleged threat from Russia. He also praised the EU's 17th sanctions package against Moscow and urged continued economic pressure 'to curtail Russia's ability to pursue its war against Ukraine.' Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously argued that peace in Ukraine could be 'more dangerous' than continued fighting, claiming that Russia might attack an EU country in the future. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such claims as 'nonsense' and warned that Western arms shipments to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict and hinder peace efforts.
Russia Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
NATO nation trying ‘bleed Russia dry'
Denmark is deliberately trying to prolong the Ukraine conflict and is working to obstruct meaningful peace efforts between Moscow and Kiev, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin has said. In an article published in Jyllands-Posten on Sunday, the senior diplomat accused Copenhagen of aligning itself with policies designed to 'bleed Russia dry' instead of supporting a lasting and fair settlement. Denmark has 'consistently pursued' a policy of prolonging the Ukraine conflict to the maximum, Barbin wrote, 'and invariably exhibits an allergic reaction to even timid hopes for peace.' The diplomat hit out at Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen for criticizing Moscow's recent proposal for direct peace talks with Kiev without preconditions. The ambassador described Rasmussen's stance as proof that Western nations are more interested in attempting to defeat Russia militarily than in supporting negotiations. The diplomat also slammed Copenhagen's public questioning of Russia's delegation to the Istanbul peace talks with Ukraine earlier this month. Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years on May 16. Both sides were represented by senior officials and diplomats. The parties agreed to stay in contact, carry out a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war swap – which has now been successfully completed – and to exchange draft ceasefire proposals. Barbin said Danish coverage of the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks portrayed it in a way that suggested Moscow was unwilling to pursue peace. He noted, however, that the Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, who had previously negotiated a draft peace agreement in 2022. 'Copenhagen's attempts to sow doubts about the Russian delegation's authority to make decisions were aimed at discrediting Moscow's direct dialogue with Kiev,' he added. Barbin warned that Denmark's continued promotion of military escalation and its bet on the possibility of beating Russia on the battlefield is a 'dangerous illusion' that risks triggering an 'uncontrolled expansion' of the conflict. Denmark has provided billions in military aid to Kiev since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Earlier this month, Copenhagen announced yet another package worth 4.2 billion kroner (approximately $618 million), focused on artillery munitions and set to run through 2028. Rasmussen has repeatedly called on the EU to boost its militarization efforts and continue arming Ukraine, citing an alleged threat from Russia. He also praised the EU's 17th sanctions package against Moscow and urged continued economic pressure 'to curtail Russia's ability to pursue its war against Ukraine.' Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously argued that peace in Ukraine could be 'more dangerous' than continued fighting, claiming that Russia might attack an EU country in the future. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such claims as 'nonsense' and warned that Western arms shipments to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict and hinder peace efforts.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
What led to Pahalgam terror attack? Jaishankar points to Pak Army chief Munir's 'extreme religious' views
Jaishankar met his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, in Copenhagen and expressed appreciation for Denmark's 'strong solidarity and support' in combating terrorism read more External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday blamed 'extreme religious outlook' propagated by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir behind the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. 'It started because it was triggered by a very barbaric terror attack where 26 tourists were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith. It was intended to harm tourism and to create religious discord,' he said during his visit to Denmark. Jaishankar added, 'You have a Pakistani army chief driven by an extreme religious outlook, so some connect with views expressed and conduct.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Wednesday, Jaishankar met his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, in Copenhagen and expressed appreciation for Denmark's 'strong solidarity and support' in combating terrorism. In a significant move following a major military embarrassment during India's recent 'Operation Sindoor', Pakistan has promoted General Asim Munir , the current Chief of Army Staff, to the rank of field marshal. According to a Reuters report, citing a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, General Munir's promotion was approved by Pakistan's Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Just a week before the April 22 attack on Pahalgam, Munir floated the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different countries, as he delivered a provocative speech. 'You have to narrate Pakistan's story to your children so that they don't forget it when our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different, that's where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation," the army general said. 'Directly negotiated' Meanwhile, Jaishankar said that India and Pakistan 'directly negotiated' the ceasefire amid US President Donald Trump's claim that he 'helped' both countries reach a truce. Talking about the turn of events on May 10, Jaishankar said, 'Yes, we have a mechanism to talk to each other as a hotline. On 10th May, the Pakistan army sent a message that they are ready to stop firing.' When asked where the US was in the entire process, Jaishankar said, 'US was in the United States.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
