Denmark says 'fundamental disagreement' remains with Trump - but agrees to high-level talks over Greenland

The UK has deployed a military officer to Greenland as Denmark and its European allies seek to counter Donald Trump's threats to take the territory, after talks at the White House ended with "fundamental disagreement".

Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the joint operation would involve several allied countries, as he warned "no one can predict what will happen tomorrow".

Downing Street confirmed one UK military officer had been deployed at Denmark's request, while Germany, Sweden, Norway, and France will also be involved.

Denmark said the operation will "strengthen our ability to operate in the area", with Mr Trump having claimed only American control can protect the Arctic territory from Russia and China.

His vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio held talks with Danish officials at the White House on Wednesday, which Copenhagen said ended with "fundamental disagreement" about Greenland's future.

Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said there was a "frank but also constructive discussion" during the meeting, but "our perspectives continue to differ".

"I must say the president has made his view clear, and we have a different position," he added. There was still a "fundamental disagreement" but both sides "agree to disagree".

The Danish foreign minister also announced a high-level working group will be set up "to explore if we can find a common way forward". The group is expected to meet for the first time "within a matter of weeks".

"The group, in our view, should focus on how to address the American security concerns, while at the same time respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said.

Greenland's foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt said the talks were held in a "respectful way" and added it is in their interests to "find the right path".

Trump: 'Unacceptable' if US doesn't control Greenland

The talks came after a Truth Social post from Mr Trump, who said it would be "unacceptable" if Greenland is not "in the hands of the United States".

He claimed the territory was "vital for the Golden Dome" - a giant, US version of Israel's missile defence system that experts have dismissed as physically implausible.

The US president also urged NATO to tell Denmark to keep China and Russia away from Greenland.

Leaders of the European Parliament "unequivocally" condemned Mr Trump's statements on Greenland and called on the EU Commission and Council to give concrete and tangible support to Greenland and Denmark.

"We respect the wishes of ‌the Greenlanders ⁠and their interests, and ‌they can ‍count on us," EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Wednesday.

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French President Emmanuel Macron echoed her remarks in a cabinet meeting, telling ministers if the sovereignty of ​a European country ⁠and ally was affected, the ​knock-on ​effects would be unprecedented.

"We do ‌not underestimate ⁠statements on Greenland," ‌Mr Macron said of US threats.

Danish defence minister Mr Poulsen confirmed Denmark and its allies would have a more permanent presence on Greenland going forward.

He described a US attack on the island as hypothetical, saying it was unlikely a NATO nation would attack another.

(c) Sky News 2026: Denmark says 'fundamental disagreement' remains with Trump - but agrees to high-level t