Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again condemned all territorial expansionist ambitions, regardless of who pursues them.
The comments were a clear reference to US President Donald Trump’s repeated territorial demands, including to take control of Greenland, a largely autonomous Danish territory. Trump has also asserted claims to the Panama Canal and demanded that Canada join the US.
“Borders must not be moved by force – to whom it may concern,” Scholz said ahead of talks with Frederiksen at the German Chancellery.
“The inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law,” Scholz reiterated. “The principle must apply to all.”
Scholz has made similar comments repeatedly in recent weeks. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and attempts at annexing large parts of Ukrainian territory also loom over the discussions.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland, the world’s largest island which is believed to hold extensive natural resources and is strategically important for control of the Arctic.
“I don’t really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn’t allow that to happen because it’s for the protection of the free world,” Trump said at the weekend, adding that “I think we’re going to have it.”
Against this backdrop, the Danish government announced on Monday that it would be strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic with three new ships for the waters around Greenland, additional long-range drones and satellites – at a cost of almost €2 billion ($2.1 billion)./dpa-argumentum.al
