A soldier from Greenland, who served alongside US troops in Afghanistan, has indirectly criticized President Donald Trump for his expressed interest in acquiring the Danish territory of Greenland. Salik Augustinussen, a Greenlandic soldier, cautioned that any attempt by US troops to invade Greenland following Trump’s directives would essentially be an attack on the comrades who had fought together since the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Greenlandic soldiers, part of the Danish armed forces, were among the 18,000 troops sent to Afghanistan in response to the invocation of Article 5, which mandates member nations to assist one another in case of an attack. Denmark, a staunch ally of the US and NATO, suffered significant casualties during Operation Enduring Freedom following the 9/11 attacks, with 43 Danish troops losing their lives. Despite this history of cooperation, Trump’s threats of annexing Greenland, a Danish territory, have raised concerns.
Veteran Project Greenland, an organization supporting veterans in the region, expressed alarm over the escalating rhetoric surrounding the potential annexation of Greenland by the US. The group emphasized that Greenland belongs to its people, and the disrespectful conduct exhibited by the US administration has caused distress among veterans and the Greenlandic population. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and its future should be determined by its inhabitants.
Recent polling data from January 2025 revealed that only six percent of Greenlanders were in favor of joining the US, with the majority preferring to remain part of Denmark or seeking independence. Additionally, the survey indicated that 85 percent opposed becoming part of the US, while only nine percent remained undecided. The ongoing debate over the status of Greenland has sparked tensions and raised questions about international relations in the region.