COPENHAGEN: Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Thursday he was “more optimistic” following technical talks with the United States (US) over Greenland, a week after President Donald Trump backed away from threats to seize the Arctic territory.
Read More: Greenland in spotlight as Trump questions Denmark
“We had the very first meeting at senior official level in Washington yesterday regarding the Greenlandic issue,” Rasmussen told journalists at an EU meeting in Brussels. “It went well in a very constructive atmosphere and tone, and new meetings are planned. It’s not that things are solved, but it’s good.”
The trilateral talks between Denmark, Greenland, and the US come after Trump scaled back his ambitions for Greenland following criticism from Copenhagen and concerns within NATO. Rasmussen said, “There was a major detour. Things were escalating, but now we are back on track. I’m slightly more optimistic today than a week ago.”
🚨 Greenland tensions cool: Denmark says talks with U.S. are “back on track” 🚨
Danish FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen says high-level talks with Washington were “very constructive” after weeks of friction over Greenland.
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🗣️ Rasmussen (Jan 29, Brussels):
“Things were escalating,… pic.twitter.com/nG9I4yBGyU— Richard Miriti (@miriti55453) January 29, 2026
Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says talks with the United States over Greenland have resumed in a constructive atmosphere, adding he is more optimistic about resolving security concerns through cooperation.#Denmark #US #Greenland pic.twitter.com/Bw7TesMHBa
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 29, 2026
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Rasmussen says he’s more optimistic about reaching a deal with US over Greenland following talks between Copenhagen and Washington pic.twitter.com/XhlxZ6NzBC
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 29, 2026
The Danish royal house announced that King Frederik X will visit Greenland on February 18 to show concern for the island’s 57,000 inhabitants. “We feel very deeply for the Greenlandic people,” the king said, acknowledging public anxiety over recent developments.
US Special Envoy for Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, said in a New York Times op-ed that a framework deal is being worked out, building on the 1941 and 1951 defense agreements between Denmark and the United States. The plan would enhance American, NATO, and Greenlandic security, support new bases and missile-defense systems, and counter Chinese and Russian influence.
Read More: Lavrov: Greenland not Denmark’s natural territory
Rasmussen emphasized that Denmark shares US security concerns in the Arctic and aims to address them through close cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for a “good outcome” as negotiations continue.