Danish veterans are left reeling from a shocking betrayal as the US, once a trusted ally, turns hostile. But what sparked this sudden shift? Trump's threats to acquire Greenland and his disparaging remarks about NATO have deeply wounded those who fought alongside American troops.
Gerth Sloth Berthelsen, a Danish veteran with Greenlandic roots, vividly recalls his time serving with US forces in a peacekeeping mission to North Macedonia. Now, he and other veterans are stunned by the animosity from a nation they considered a brother-in-arms. The Trump administration's repeated threats to take over Greenland, followed by a sudden U-turn, have instilled fear and a sense of betrayal in both Greenland and Denmark.
The US President's demand for ownership of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, was swiftly followed by a deal announcement with NATO chief Mark Rutte. While European allies breathed a sigh of relief, the damage to the EU-US relationship may already be irreversible, despite the US backing down from additional trade tariffs.
The situation is particularly tense in Nuuk and Copenhagen, where Greenlanders and Danes grapple with the US's new role as a potential threat. Berthelsen, now working in a non-combat role for the Danish army, expressed his disbelief at the hostility from a former ally.
Denmark's military has a rich history of collaborating with the US, from NATO and UN peacekeeping missions to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Notably, Denmark suffered significant losses in Afghanistan, with at least 41 soldiers killed, a high per capita rate compared to other nations in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The Kingdom of Denmark's involvement in Afghanistan began after the September 11 attacks, with nearly 20,000 personnel deployed. The country also endured casualties in the Iraq War, losing eight soldiers. Berthelsen emphasizes the lack of respect for Danish veterans who served alongside Americans.
He co-chairs Veteranprojekt Grønland, an organization supporting veterans through social connections and nature rehabilitation. In a joint statement, Berthelsen and fellow veteran Mads Rasmussen asserted Greenland's autonomy while expressing shock at the US's conduct and disrespect for international law.
Salik Augustinussen, a Greenlandic soldier, wrote an open letter to Americans, recalling how Denmark and its territories stood with the US after 9/11. He likened threats to Greenland to an attack on NATO members, arguing that an invasion would target those who fought alongside the US.
NATO's Article 5, which declares an attack on one member as an attack on all, was invoked only once, following the 9/11 attacks. Trump's rhetoric about Greenland and NATO allies has caused a stir, especially when he baselessly claimed NATO troops stayed away from the front lines in Afghanistan, angering allies who suffered significant losses.
Trump's assertion that NATO countries wouldn't defend the US and that the alliance has offered nothing in return sparked a social media backlash. Soldiers from Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and Canada shared photos and stories of their service in Afghanistan, reminding the US President of their sacrifices.
Greenlandic veteran Kununguak Iversen, who served in Iraq with a US-led coalition, feels betrayed by the Trump administration. He emphasizes that Denmark answered the call when the US needed help, and the current treatment is unacceptable.
An EU summit was held to address Trump's threats, but the details of the Greenland deal remain vague. While Trump and Rutte reached an understanding, no formal document has been produced. The deal may involve updating a 1951 agreement governing the US military's presence in Greenland, barring Russia and China from investments, and enhancing NATO's role.
One proposal suggests Denmark allowing the US to build more bases in Greenland, but it's unclear if this is part of the framework. The US already has a base in Greenland, established through the 1951 defense agreement, which was updated in 1981 and re-signed in 2004. The US had a larger presence during the Cold War but reduced it as tensions eased.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Trump's approach a strategic negotiation tactic or a reckless disregard for allies? The debate rages on, leaving many to wonder: Is this a new era of US-European relations or a temporary rift?
